The New Xbox Live and You
We’re big online gamers over here at MG and the news of the
changes to Xbox Live has got us giddy. Amidst the glow of the new
features and the hailfire of news surrounding price and packaging for
Microsoft’s glorified instant messanging system came a few questions.
What worried us primarily was switching over. So far the press releases
hadn’t given much mention to what current Live subscribers would be
getting, or not getting as the case might have been. Some of us being
the developers we are, know what kind of utter chaos converting a large
database of users and their info can be.
changes to Xbox Live has got us giddy. Amidst the glow of the new
features and the hailfire of news surrounding price and packaging for
Microsoft’s glorified instant messanging system came a few questions.
What worried us primarily was switching over. So far the press releases
hadn’t given much mention to what current Live subscribers would be
getting, or not getting as the case might have been. Some of us being
the developers we are, know what kind of utter chaos converting a large
database of users and their info can be.
So
we did what any self respecting geek would do and cruised the net in
search for answers. After giving up and downloading porn after an hour
of failure, we instead asked Microsoft’s representatives for the
straight answers. Believe it or not, we got em:
we did what any self respecting geek would do and cruised the net in
search for answers. After giving up and downloading porn after an hour
of failure, we instead asked Microsoft’s representatives for the
straight answers. Believe it or not, we got em:
Media Geeks: How will the new structure affect current Xbox Live Subscribers?
Microsoft: Current
Xbox Live subscribers will be able to experience the next generation of
online multiplayer gaming for the same twelve-month subscription price
they are currently enjoying on Xbox.
MG: Will they roll over automatically into a new package?
MS: Current
Xbox Live subscriptions will be transferred to an Xbox Live Gold
membership account, including remaining time on the current Live
subscription. When the original membership term expires it will
automatically renew as the Xbox Live Gold annual membership at the
current annual price, unless the subscriber changes their renewal or
cancels it before the membership ends.
Pricing
details can be viewed in the Account Management area of your gamer
profile. For information about changing or canceling your membership
and the membership refund policy, go to www.xbox.com/live/accounts
details can be viewed in the Account Management area of your gamer
profile. For information about changing or canceling your membership
and the membership refund policy, go to www.xbox.com/live/accounts
MG: Will they lose their gamer tags?
MS: No,
Xbox Live users rolling onto Xbox 360 will not lose their gamertags.
Users will have continued access to their gamertag, demos, trailers,
downloads, tournaments and friends list.
MG:
Will current subscribers be given the opportunity to receive the
benefits that purchasing a Live Premium Gold Pack would grant
them(rebates, headset, etc..)?
MS: Yes.
When a current user decides they want to upgrade to one of the premium
Xbox Live Gold bundles, they will receive the benefits of that bundle.
MG:
Will current Live subscribers have the same connectivity to play online
games using the current Xbox even if they’ve purchased an Xbox 360?
MS: Yes,
you will be able to access Xbox Live on both Xbox 360 and your current
generation Xbox with your transferred account, after launch.
So there it is. Pretty straight forward and it appears to be nothing to worry about (famous last words?).
