Friday, 25 July 2008

Pay Nothing for Games For Windows Live

Microsoft this week announced that their Games for Windows Live service will be free for gamers from this point forward, dropping the subscription price. Games for Windows Live will no longer charge gamers monthly to take part in the service.

Games For Windows Live is ‘now offering completely free online multiplayer’ service, Microsoft said in a statement posted on the service's Web site. The company previously charged a monthly fee of USD 7.99. However, the emergence of several free online gaming services may have prompted Microsoft to drop the monthly charge.

All gamers will now have unlimited access to multiplayer matchmaking with friends, TrueSkill matchmaking, multiplayer achievements, and cross-platform gameplay, which were previously available only to Gold subscribers. Those features are in addition to previously gratis goods, including friend lists, text and voice chat, and single-player achievements.

The service is cross compatible with Microsoft's Xbox Live network, which lets Xbox 360 owners play games against each other online. Scores achieved in Games For Windows Live contests can be transferred to player’s Xbox Live accounts, according to Microsoft. Xbox Live though, is not a free service as that costs USD 50 for a yearly subscription.