MS Makes Getting Online Easier
Fewer barries means more people should try out Microsoft's service in the next generation.
While many would point to Xbox Live as one of Microsoft's biggest successes on Xbox, the service has only touched around 10 per cent of all Xbox owners. One of the hurdles has been the requirement of a credit card to sign up to Xbox Live, but Microsoft announced this week that it has dropped this for the next generation.
In an attempt to get closer to the 50 per cent goal Microsoft said earlier this year it has targeted for Xbox 360, the company has rearranged its practises so that you'll be able to buy subscriptions to Xbox Live Gold (the Xbox 360 equivalent of the current Xbox Live) directly from retail stores using whatever payment they accept, making it easier to make the jump into the networked gamespace.
Microsoft has fractured the Xbox Live userbase for its next-gen console. All Xbox 360 owners will be able to use the new communication and community-based features using the free Xbox Live Silver service, but the meat of the experience, online play, starts at £40 per year, depending on your payment plan.
Microsoft is planning to overhaul the online gaming experience, with new features, such as Project Gotham Racing 3's extensive spectator mode, planned for rollout with key games.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
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