Apologies from Microsoft... Here's Free Stuff

I figured everyone probably knew about this already... turns out they don't. So here's the deal:

Due to XBox Live going crazy and stuffing its face on new accounts at Christmas, the Big M is offering Live users worldwide a free XBLA game as an apology.

http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6184292.html

My bets are on Yaris 2 :P

My bets are on Yaris 2 :P

totalgridlock

Ha! Hey while we're talking about stuff from MS, I read somewhere that MS was giving away 500 points for people who have been on XBL since day one. I was on XBL on Day one -- I took the day off work to do it, nice memories -- but have not noticed a deposit to mey account. I wonder if they meant points, not credits, since i would not have noticed if my gamerscore went up.

Anyway, anyone else in the same boat?

[QUOTE="totalgridlock"]

My bets are on Yaris 2 :P

aspro73

Ha! Hey while we're talking about stuff from MS, I read somewhere that MS was giving away 500 points for people who have been on XBL since day one. I was on XBL on Day one -- I took the day off work to do it, nice memories -- but have not noticed a deposit to mey account. I wonder if they meant points, not credits, since i would not have noticed if my gamerscore went up.

Anyway, anyone else in the same boat?

I have too. I also believe there was a sign up sheet on the website... it's gone now... but it was there during the live is 5 thing... I never got through... the site was so laggy...

Is there a major difference between Silver and Gold aside from Silver being free? In other words, would I still be able to buy games off the Marketplace with Silver, download demos, ect.?

Is there a major difference between Silver and Gold aside from Silver being free? In other words, would I still be able to buy games off the Marketplace with Silver, download demos, ect.?

Dracula68

I don't think you get as much access to the downloads and you have limited capabilities on xbox.com.

Is there a major difference between Silver and Gold aside from Silver being free? In other words, would I still be able to buy games off the Marketplace with Silver, download demos, ect.?

Dracula68

This seems to be a pretty good summary.Limited matchmaking, unable to designate a gamerzone of choice and no feedback on other players. Oh and, how can I forget the most important thing "Seamless transition of Xbox Live account from Xbox to Xbox 360" - snore.

Thanks for the link. For some reason I *assumed* the free account would be a lot worse off.

Thanks for the link. For some reason I *assumed* the free account would be a lot worse off.

Dracula68

[QUOTE="Dracula68"]

Thanks for the link. For some reason I *assumed* the free account would be a lot worse off.

gmsnpr

My account is Silver at the moment but I had it on Gold for about a year. The reason I haven't gone back to Gold yet is simply because it was super rare that I actually did something that took advantage of my account being Gold. So until I have the need for my account to be Gold again I'll just be leaving it be.

Though on topic: Pretty cool of them, I barely noticed the problem.

Though on topic: Pretty cool of them, I barely noticed the problem.

Strike_Zer0

From what I've heard from people here and elsewhere the problems were/are worse stateside. Most people I've spoken to here didn't have much of a problem other than a few hours downtime here and there. Certainly nothing on the scale of what some people across the pond are experiencing.

On the subject of gold/silver... I'm still taking advantage of the free gold membership that came with the console and a couple of games that came with trial gold membership thingies too. After it's run out I'll probably just stay silver until I need gold for something desperately. Right now I don't even have the console with me, so I guess the point is a bit moot.

Give me a free month instead I say!

Any news on when we get these free game downloads?KlownMaster

I'm wondering about that too. I'm hoping it's just 800 points for free.

Give me a free month instead I say!

Dracula68

That'd be nice. But what I personally want is the amount of Microsoft points that corresponds to a months pay for Xbox Live. Then I could buy an Arcade game that I actually want. (I really need to try Symphony of the Night.)

Yeah points would be better... doubt that will happen though. I'm thinking it will be a choice of one out of three or so games, all of which stink. I hope I'm proved wrong though!totalgridlock

no, it'll be a choice of 3 games that everyyone already has.

That'd be nice. But what I personally want is the amount of Microsoft points that corresponds to a months pay for Xbox Live. Then I could buy an Arcade game that I actually want. (I really need to try Symphony of the Night.)

amlabella

That would be close to a 400 point game. If we get that I rather be the one who chooses and not them.

[QUOTE="amlabella"]

That'd be nice. But what I personally want is the amount of Microsoft points that corresponds to a months pay for Xbox Live. Then I could buy an Arcade game that I actually want. (I really need to try Symphony of the Night.)

Dracula68

That would be close to a 400 point game. If we get that I rather be the one who chooses and not them.

I think that'd be the only FAIR way to go. I know at least 15 people who have EVERY arcade game already.

Isn't the Xbox Live fee yearly? Assuming you're paying with a credit card and not the 1 month, 3 month cards, discounting the equivalent of a month would be some tricky stuff, unless they just made it $45 for this year. But what if you're on a 12 (+1) card? Do they give you five bucks? Baaaaahhhh.... Just give us the free game. And it can be something nobody wants for all I care. Half of my Live Arcade games were free anyway :Pgakon5

Actually, get 3-month XBL gold cards...that's how I've been doing it so far, mainly because I was worried about losing money when the eventual red-ring occurred (I'm psychic!). I might get a year card once I get my new one (which WILL be an Elite this time...even if I have to wait for it).

And the game is...Undertow, according to Major Nelson's blog.

Apparently, if you already purchased it, you can call M$ and get the points equivalent.

So, who wants to play online next week?

How long is this going to be free? I'm kinda sans 360 right now...

*kicks 360's corpse*

How long is this going to be free? I'm kinda sans 360 right now...

*kicks 360's corpse*

jollyroger78

available to Gold and Silver members at no charge from 2:00 a.m. PST Wednesday, January 23 through 11:59 p.m. PST, Sunday, January 27.

[QUOTE="jollyroger78"]

How long is this going to be free? I'm kinda sans 360 right now...

*kicks 360's corpse*

Dracula68

available to Gold and Silver members at no charge from 2:00 a.m. PST Wednesday, January 23 through 11:59 p.m. PST, Sunday, January 27.

Phooey.

[QUOTE="Dracula68"][QUOTE="jollyroger78"]

How long is this going to be free? I'm kinda sans 360 right now...

*kicks 360's corpse*

jollyroger78

available to Gold and Silver members at no charge from 2:00 a.m. PST Wednesday, January 23 through 11:59 p.m. PST, Sunday, January 27.

Phooey.

works for me though... I wasn't going to ever pay for the game, I wasn't fond of it.

Hey, JollyRoger, call Microsoft support and tell them your story. They're going to give members who've already purchased it 800 free points (I think), so perhaps they'll add the same to your account.CodingGenius

good idea, it should work.

Well, I have to admit, I've thought about buying Undertow before because it looks good, but I'd rather get the MS points. Oh well.

Well it's better than it could have been... though I can't believe there wasn't at least a choice of three craptacular games. There's gotta be an awful lot of people who already have it...

Also, making it free for only a few days is kinda sucky. Why not just make it free permanently? At least for accounts that were active during the troubles?

works for me though... I wasn't going to ever pay for the game, I wasn't fond of it.waflerevolution

Yeah, my sentiments too... Nice to get it for free, because I wouldn't have paid $10 for it.

[QUOTE="waflerevolution"]works for me though... I wasn't going to ever pay for the game, I wasn't fond of it.someNONSENSE

Yeah, my sentiments too... Nice to get it for free, because I wouldn't have paid $10 for it.

there's a lot of people who love it but it's one of those love it or hate it games.

Well it's better than it could have been... though I can't believe there wasn't at least a choice of three craptacular games. There's gotta be an awful lot of people who already have it...

totalgridlock

In all seriousness, ever since you raised the prospect I was hoping it was going to be Yaris.

Undertow would be a hell of a lot better if you could see that little dude. He get's lost in the background.

[QUOTE="totalgridlock"]

Well it's better than it could have been... though I can't believe there wasn't at least a choice of three craptacular games. There's gotta be an awful lot of people who already have it...

aspro73

In all seriousness, ever since you raised the prospect I was hoping it was going to be Yaris.

Undertow would be a hell of a lot better if you could see that little dude. He get's lost in the background.

I agree, the game has a ton of potential. It's like Star Wars Battle Front had a threesome with Treasures of the Deep and Geometry Wars.

[QUOTE="aspro73"][QUOTE="totalgridlock"]

Well it's better than it could have been... though I can't believe there wasn't at least a choice of three craptacular games. There's gotta be an awful lot of people who already have it...

sonicboom713

In all seriousness, ever since you raised the prospect I was hoping it was going to be Yaris.

Undertow would be a hell of a lot better if you could see that little dude. He get's lost in the background.

I agree, the game has a ton of potential. It's like Star Wars Battle Front had a threesome with Treasures of the Deep and Geometry Wars.

lawl

Undertow is actually pretty neat. Wouldn't have bought it though.GAMECAMILLER

Same here, not exactly my cup of tea, but I'll play it once I beat everything else I have. I swear if I wasn't a complete achievment whore, I wouldn't play half the games I have on the 360.

[QUOTE="GAMECAMILLER"]Undertow is actually pretty neat. Wouldn't have bought it though.sonicboom713

Same here, not exactly my cup of tea, but I'll play it once I beat everything else I have. I swear if I wasn't a complete achievment whore, I wouldn't play half the games I have on the 360.

[QUOTE="sonicboom713"]

[QUOTE="GAMECAMILLER"]Undertow is actually pretty neat. Wouldn't have bought it though.GAMECAMILLER

Same here, not exactly my cup of tea, but I'll play it once I beat everything else I have. I swear if I wasn't a complete achievment whore, I wouldn't play half the games I have on the 360.

Uh huh, it makes me want to play game so I have something to show for it. Hence the reason why I've played games like Yaris so much haha

[QUOTE="GAMECAMILLER"][QUOTE="sonicboom713"]

[QUOTE="GAMECAMILLER"]Undertow is actually pretty neat. Wouldn't have bought it though.sonicboom713

Same here, not exactly my cup of tea, but I'll play it once I beat everything else I have. I swear if I wasn't a complete achievment whore, I wouldn't play half the games I have on the 360.

Uh huh, it makes me want to play game so I have something to show for it. Hence the reason why I've played games like Yaris so much haha

yaris is actually pretty fun.