For those of you who are unaware, there are two types of Xbox LIVE subscription – Silver and Gold. Silver costs nothing, but is restrictive in that you can’t play online multiplayer. Gold comes at a price, but gives gamers access to the full LIVE service.
Xbox UK community boss Graeme Boyd has commented on Twitter that Silver is to be renamed:
“Just been told that ‘Xbox LIVE Silver Membership’ will now officially be called ‘Xbox LIVE Free Membership’. The times they are a-changin…”
Catchy.
Source: Twitter
Kronik76
Whoa. I’m in a similar state of shock to when I dound out that Marathon bars were to be renamed Snickers.
Kronik76
*found* even!
carson321
there were lots of laughs when that was announced! (sorry!)
Kronik76
I have absolutely no idea why that would be! ;-)
tonycawley
So they’re just changing the name of it? What’s the point in that?
Liberi Fatali
To trick casuals?
Apnomis
My thoughts exactly! This is bordering on misleading advertising – most people refer to the Xbox’s online gaming element as just ‘Xbox Live’, so seeing ‘Xbox Live FREE’ on the side of the console will make people think they get an actual online service for free.
It should actually be renamed ‘Xbox Live Store-only Access’, or ‘Xbox Live Limited Features’, or ‘Xbox Live Offline Gaming’, or ‘Xbox Live Gimped’ etc…
cc_star
Why?
If they’re going to use your literal descriptions they’d have to rename the PSN the PlaySlow Download Network or the PlayAnnoying FW Updates Network, or the Network with hardly any community features.
With Live, there’s just a free and a premium version, its silly they’ve called it Silver for so long when you think about it.
Juelz345
How is it a trick? Stating the the free service is…free, doesn’t seem misleading at all? Silver sounds more like a “trick”.
woodsy321
easy – so it looks free like PSN to parents who compare the two consoles for christmas prezzies
Charmed_Fanatic
as above, to trick people who dont know about it
carson321
it sounds a bit weird?! or is it just me? saying the full title just sounds wrong, anyway, when it was called silver, where was bronze??
tonycawley
Forget the bronze, where was the platinum?
Kronik76
It’s all about the platinums!
Erroneus
So now MS can say: Hey we got a free service for our box also, see it’s even named free! youcantplayanythingonlineifyoudontbuygold.
It’s FREE!
scavenga
+1
– I even heard a rumour that they’re renaming the 360 controllers “Free wireless access control panel”
stueeeee
+1 so MS can also they have a free service like PSN! Many people may think you can play online etc as it is a free ‘membership’. PS+ is probably still a better deal than GOLD in the long run anyway….
Liberi Fatali
Free!!! hey wait a minute!!
lewis815
Well, nice to know that the MS bofs are working on important things then..
mugsybalone
Well, they don’t need blu ray as they’ve got digital downloads, and 3D’s not really important, so I guess MS have to keep themselves busy with something!
solidsteven
What’s this MS calling something free? *goes to look for flying pig*
recommended4u.co.uk
Everyone likes Free. I became a ‘Free’ member yesterday. Its a sad and lonely way to be :(
toutski
Are they going to call gold, xbox live paid to match up the analogy?
stueeeee
Good point! Just FREE and GOLD. Just calling the Gold and xbox Live membership would be better, as the silver deal isn’t really a membership…
Quinlank
Microsoft’s least favourite word seemingly being used in a misleading manner. Probably hoping to suck in a few of the gullibles who don’t know any better they’ll net with Kinect no doubt.
Juelz345
How is calling a free service free misleading? Especially since anywhere that you see MS advertise LIVE Free they’re also going to advertise LIVE Gold.
Maybe Sony should rename PS+ to PlayStation Discounts.