Tag Archives: XboxLiveGold

The best gifts for console gamers

Posted on by
Games are a staple of any holiday season, and what better way to celebrate than by playing some of the biggest titles around? We've picked a string of great games in our holiday gift guide, including Spider-Man, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Red Dead R...

Microsoft launches Xbox All Access with two-year console financing

Posted on by
The rumors are true: Today, Microsoft announced an all-inclusive service called Xbox All Access. For $22 per month over two years, Microsoft will provide you with an Xbox One S console, access to over 100 games thanks to Xbox Game Pass and an Xbox Li...

Xbox Live Family Plans get converted to individual memberships starting August 27th

Posted on by

Xbox Live Family Plans get converted to individual memberships August 27th

Microsoft just detailed how the Xbox One's "Home Gold" will spread the Xbox Live Gold love across multiple users of a particular system, but what about those with the current generation's Xbox Live Family Plan? The folks in Redmond stopped accepting new subscribers to the $99 / year package back in March, and now users are receiving an email (included after the break) with details about what happens next. First, the good news: As of August 27th, if you have the family plan then each one of your activated subaccounts get full Xbox Live Gold status for the duration of your remaining subscription, plus three extra months. Prior to the conversion, you can still add sub accounts to the maximum total of four, and if you're set to auto-renew prior to conversion then that will still happen. The conversion may not happen exactly on that date, but subscribers can expect another email a week before it actually occurs.

Now the downsides: Activity reports and Microsoft Points allowances are going away, with reports disappearing at the time of conversion and the latter with the next system update. Another issue will apply to those who used it to game on multiple consoles in or across multiple households, since they'll need multiple individual XBL Gold subscriptions to do so -- one of the big problems the Family Pack resolved when it launched back in 2010. That could make sticking with the Xbox 360 or upgrading to an Xbox One more expensive going forward, check out the FAQ for all the details and run the numbers for yourself.

[Thanks, Corey]

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Source: Xbox Live Family Plan conversion FAQ, Microsoft

Xbox One’s Xbox Live Gold benefits, digital games shared with all users on a single console

Posted on by

The Xbox One game console will enable all users of a single console to enjoy the benefits of a single users' Xbox Live Gold account, Microsoft announced this afternoon. This initiative, called "Home Gold," includes online multiplayer, various streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, NFL), Game DVR and the One Guide -- services that are specifically enabled through Xbox Live Gold membership ($60 a year). That also includes digital games that any user of a single Xbox One purchased as well, a variant of functionality that Microsoft previously promised with Xbox One and subsequently rolled back after consumers reacted negatively.

Microsoft's Xbox VP Marc Whitten announced as much on the company's Xbox news site, Xbox Wire, where he wrote:

"It means that your account and your gamertag are truly yours. You don't have to share your gamertag for multiplayer gaming with others in your home, or see recommendations for your kid's cartoons next to the recommended first-person shooter for you. It also means that you can introduce new games and enjoy multiplayer with friends while they are at your house. Last but not least, it also means that when you buy one Xbox Live Gold membership, multiple people can enjoy the best benefits of Xbox Live Gold on your Xbox One at no additional charge."

Apparently the same XBL Gold account can be signed in on both an Xbox One and an Xbox 360; as expected, Xbox 360 Gold accounts carry over to Xbox One, though this is the first we're hearing about peaceful co-existence between the two consoles. We'll surely hear more from Whitten and co. in Cologne, Germany during Gamescom 2013 in just a few weeks.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Source: Microsoft

Multiple accounts can use a single Xbox Live subscription on the One

Posted on by

Multiple accounts can use a single Xbox Live membership on the One

If you joined us for the Xbox One reveal yesterday, you'll probably know that amidst all the excitement, we learned that a single Xbox Live Gold membership will cover both the 360 and the next-gen console. Good stuff -- no extra expenditure, subscription sign-ups or other irritations. But, it gets even better, as a couple of Microsoft bigwigs told Polygon that Live memberships can also used by multiple profiles. That means several accounts can be created on one console, for discrete friends lists, personal Home screens and the like, but they'll all be able to feed off the same subscription. We're not sure how this'll work exactly, but it already sounds better than the Gamertag-specific membership model on the 360, which is responsible for far too many amazing kill stats being lost to the dreaded "Guest" account.

Filed under: ,

Comments

Source: Polygon

Amazon listing points to unannounced Xbox 360 with Kinect Nike+ bundle (update)

Posted on by

Amazon listing points to unannounced Xbox 360 with Kinect Nike bundle update

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced its Xbox 360 holiday bundles, but 'tis the season of excess! Someone at Amazon appears to have jumped the gun, as a product posting reveals an unannounced Xbox 360 with Kinect Nike+ bundle, which begins shipping on December 4th. Priced at $300, this package includes a 4GB Xbox 360, Kinect sensor, Nike+ Kinect Training game and one month of Xbox Live Gold. Though the Amazon product page is listed as "by Microsoft," we still reached out to the folks from Redmond for confirmation and were completely stonewalled. Of course, if you're looking for an excuse to delay your new post-holiday fitness regimen, you could always take the gamble of waiting for this bundle to become official. Call us bonkers, but we're pretty sure that it's a safe bet.

Update: Microsoft's Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson) has confirmed Amazon's listing of this bundle via Twitter.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Via: The Next Web

Source: Amazon, @majornelson (Twitter)

WatchESPN lands on Xbox Live with split screen viewing and more

Posted on by

WatchESPN lands on Xbox Live with split screen viewing and more

Gamers yearning for the promise of more than just ESPN 3 on the Xbox 360 have finally gotten what they've been waiting for. As of today, WatchESPN has landed for Xbox Live Gold Members, packing live network programming through channels including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3 and ESPN Goal Line / Buzzer Beater. In order to take advantage of the app on Ballmer and Co.'s gaming box, you'll need service from a cable provider that offers WatchESPN. Those who're content with only ESPN 3 will still just need an Xbox Live Gold subscription and an internet connection from an "affiliated provider." Along with live content, the app also brings split screen channel viewing, game reminders, a personalized "My Sports" section and more. According to Microsoft's Major Nelson, an Xbox SmartGlass companion experience for ESPN, NBA and SportsPicks will be available come December. For those eager to spend some quality time with Sports Center and Mike an Mike in the Morning, look out below for more details in the press release.

Continue reading WatchESPN lands on Xbox Live with split screen viewing and more

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Via: Major Nelson

Source: ESPN

Microsoft expands subsidized Xbox 360 offer to 250GB model, from $99

Posted on by

Microsoft expands subsidized Xbox 360 offer to 250GB model, from $99

Microsoft has thrown an additional two Xbox 360 models into its subsidized subscription deal. Accompanying the original 4GB console at $99, a 250GB option will also be priced at $99, accompanied by two years of Xbox LIVE Gold at $15 per month. Throw in a Kinect, and this rises to $149, initially. The company hasn't revealed whether the new models will be accompanied by additional retailers alongside Best Buy and Gamestop, but there is a holding page that promises to offer a "full list of participating retailers" soon.

Filed under: ,

Microsoft expands subsidized Xbox 360 offer to 250GB model, from $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 04:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge  |  sourceXbox  | Email this | Comments