Gold Members Given Preference at Xbox Live Marketplace
Incentive to upgrade or merely perks for subscribers?
Microsoft has in the past toyed with the idea of giving preference to its paying customers for Xbox Live Marketplace content. It didn't last long that time, but that hasn't stopped the company from trying again.
Xbox community manager Larry Hryb wrote on Tuesday at his majornelson.com blog that new content, including demos, would at first only be available to Xbox Live Gold members. Those with the free Silver membership will have to wait a week to get at the free stuff.
When Silver members try to download new content, they'll get a screen saying: "This item is currently for Xbox Live Gold members only. Silver members can check again in a few days or upgrade to an Xbox Live Gold Membership."
"This is not done to annoy our Silver members - limited time exclusive access to content is just one of the many benefits of having a Gold Xbox Live account," Hryb said, something several commenters on the site took issue with.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo
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