GAMES for WINDOWS LIVE GOLD is now FREE ! ! !

I just came across this news, apparently Games for Windows Live online is now completely FREE!!!!!!!!!

Microsoft to Refund Games for Windows Live Fees

by Aaron Linde Jul 24, 2008 1:15pm CST tags: Games for Windows, PC Gaming, Microsoft Now that the multiplayer features of Games for Windows Live-enabled PC titles are entirely free, Microsoft says it will refund subscription fees to Gold-level Live subscribers, Games for Windows senior global director Kevin Unangst has revealed.

"There will be a benefit for customers who purchased gold subscriptions on Windows," Unangst told Ars Technica. "Proactively, we will be offering refunds for those with Windows-specific Gold subscriptions. Customer service has already begun to get communications prepared."

Many Games for Windows-branded PC titles including Bungie's Halo 2 and FASA Interactive's Shadowrun required a subscription to make use of features such as matchmaking and cross-platform play, effectively requiring a subscription for functional online multiplayer experience.

Games for Windows Live formerly featured a pricing structure similar to that of the Xbox 360's Xbox Live online platform, with Gold subscriptions costing $49.99 for a year, $19.99 for three months and $7.99 for a one-month subscription.

shacknewsDOTcom

Way to go Microsoft! It's about frelling time!!

oh and BTW, thanks. lol.

I'm gonna go play me some Shadowrun...

Like now now or soon now?pseudodog07

Nevermind, it IS CONFIRMED, it is being transitioned as we speak.

What they are doing is effectively canceling all PC users GOLD accounts and converting them to Silver. But now Silver Has full online playabilty, where it was very restricted before.

As with all things m$, I am waiting for the catch...

Oh wait I forgot, you know that pretty silver bar that will now be on your gamertag? Does it look like a bullseye to anyone? (read I'm a PC user come after me for that cross platform achievment?)

Two reasons why

1. They had no to very little success of people paying $50 to play with their friends.

2. Every other game that has multiplayer (expect for some MMOs) is free to play.

3. Valve is quickly becoming the dominant player in digital distribution and game based social networking.

The laugh out loud bs line in this article: "We're not focused on how we compete with Steam."

It's about freaking time, Microsoft was stupid to even charge for online PC gaming in the first place. I can barely understand the need for these exhoribitant MMO fees as it is, but paying to play FPSes online? Microsoft isn't even the ones hosting the servers...

I just came across this news, apparently Games for Windows Live online is now completely FREE!!!!!!!!!

[QUOTE="shacknewsDOTcom"]

Microsoft to Refund Games for Windows Live Fees

by Aaron Linde Jul 24, 2008 1:15pm CST tags: Games for Windows, PC Gaming, Microsoft Now that the multiplayer features of Games for Windows Live-enabled PC titles are entirely free, Microsoft says it will refund subscription fees to Gold-level Live subscribers, Games for Windows senior global director Kevin Unangst has revealed.

"There will be a benefit for customers who purchased gold subscriptions on Windows," Unangst told Ars Technica. "Proactively, we will be offering refunds for those with Windows-specific Gold subscriptions. Customer service has already begun to get communications prepared."

Many Games for Windows-branded PC titles including Bungie's Halo 2 and FASA Interactive's Shadowrun required a subscription to make use of features such as matchmaking and cross-platform play, effectively requiring a subscription for functional online multiplayer experience.

Games for Windows Live formerly featured a pricing structure similar to that of the Xbox 360's Xbox Live online platform, with Gold subscriptions costing $49.99 for a year, $19.99 for three months and $7.99 for a one-month subscription.

OneNeo1

Way to go Microsoft! It's about frelling time!!

oh and BTW, thanks. lol.

I'm gonna go play me some Shadowrun...