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Dante's Inferno demo now available on XBLM
Because nothing goes with the egg nog and sugar cookies as well as baby murder, right? As expected, the demo for Dante's Inferno has descended into the seventh level of the Xbox Live marketplace, which means that you Xbox Live Gold members can hack and slash your way past all of the buzz and see if the gameplay floats your ferry right across the River Styx. The demo is 1GB in size, and while we didn't see it available on the console itself (though it should be there soon), you can follow this link on over to the Xbox website and queue up the download from there. Just don't come crying to us when Grandma's shocked after walking in and seeing what you're doing on the "gamebox." Make sure you know where the smelling salts are.
Free Xbox Live Gold promotions incoming
In celebration of the latest Dashboard Update, which introduced Twitter, Facebook and a number of other new features to the Xbox 360, Microsoft is hosting free Xbox Live Gold promotions through next week. Starting November 20 at 12:00pm ET and running until 12:00pm ET November 23, Xbox Live Gold will be free for all Silver members except those in Europe. Don't feel left out, European Silver members, as you'll be getting free Xbox Live Gold starting at 17:00 GMT, November 25, until 17:00 GMT, November 30. During the free period, all Silver Live members will have access to the new features as well as Halo Waypoint, 1 vs 100, Netflix, Sky Player and, of course, online multiplayer. Keep in mind that not all features -- Sky Player, for example -- are available in all regions. Now, to be serious for a moment, Twitter is neat and all, but the Modern Warfare 2 Spec Ops mode is where it's at. Be sure to use your free Xbox Live wisely.
Dealio: Xbox Live 12-month card for $40
Xbox Live is the frosting inside the Xbox 360's Oreo cookie. Sure, the two chocolate wafers are delicious alone, but it's that sugary stuffing that makes it an Oreo. The only problem is that the frosting costs $50 annually -- so, it's nice to see that it's only $40 for a 12-month Xbox Live gold membership card on Amazon at the moment.As far as we can tell, a similar deal is not available for the downloadable version of the card. If you're already a gold member, the subscriptions should accumulate. We're more than happy to save $10 on that renewal, 'cause Xbox 360's are just better stuffed with frosting -- wait, what?[Thanks, Ganung]
Demo for Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2010 stalks Xbox Live
Xbox Live Gold subscribers in the US (sorry, Canadian hunters), load up your rifle and grab your favorite camouflage cap, because Major Nelson informs us a demo for Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2010 is now available for download. Weighing in at 391mb, the demo provides a taste of the retail disc's trophy game hunting across five continents.And, just as the game's title would suggest, you won't be hunting quails or underpants gnomes, as this is big game we're talking about. Big game, mind you, and not the deadliest game of all. If you want to hunt Ice-T, you're going to have to get yourself some Netflix. Add the Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2010 demo to your download queue
Twitter and Facebook for Xbox Live will be free for Gold members, 'free trial' for Silver
This shouldn't really come as too much of a surprise, but anyone wanting to enjoy Twitter and Facebook on Xbox Live will have to pony up for Gold member subscription, the same premium prerequisite currently needed for Netflix Instant Watch and pretty much all online gaming. Silver membership will be given a "free trial," but exactly what limitations that entails, or if they'll be an option to "upgrade" to the full version, is anyone's guess.
Xbox Live's Twitter and Facebook free for Gold, for trial by Silver members
Always read the fine print. Part of a footnote from this morning's Xbox 360 price cut press release bore this little oh-by-the-way: "Xbox Live Gold Membership will be required for Twitter and Facebook when they are available." When MCV followed up on the tucked-away tidbit, a Microsoft spokesperson suggested that the press release's statement was "inaccurate" and that the company was "still formulating its plans" for integrating the social networking services into Xbox Live. A few short hours later, those plans appear to be formulated. A Microsoft representative has clarified for Joystiq, "Facebook and Twitter on Xbox Live will be free to Gold members, with a free trial period also available for Silver members." Specific details on what's included in the trial are not currently available, but clearly Microsoft is continuing its policy to reward Gold subscribers for, well, their subscriptions, despite what must be a tempting motivation to make Twitter and Facebook free-for-all features. Social networking's the killer app, after all (right?) -- and Microsoft could use some new ammo in the console war.%Gallery-65321%
The more you know: How to turn off automatic Xbox Live renewal
By default, Xbox Live is set to automatically renew Gold subscriptions when a user's current membership expires, but not everyone is down with a surprise credit card charge -- especially if they're rocking a parent's plastic. Thankfully, Xbox Live's Major Nelson has posted a quick guide to help users disable the automatic renewal process. The steps are simple: Sign in to Xbox.com and go to the My Account section. Click the Membership level link on the left. You'll see a page that has your Membership level, and the end date. Under that, you'll see your "Automatic Renewal" status (as shown above). If it reads ON, users can click the ON link and be brought to a page to turn the feature OFF. If you'd like to change the setting to ON or OFF -- Click the link, make your selection, then click next. You'll be returned to your Membership level page, where you can confirm your selection That's it. Easy as warm apple pie -- now excuse us, we just got hungry. [Thanks, Juan]
Microsoft offering Silver members one month of Xbox Live Gold for $1
No, Xbox Live Silver members, that's not a massive typo you're seeing on the dashboard's Spotlight channel. Microsoft really is offering one month of Gold membership for $1 to US users. Of course, it's a "limited-time offer" -- and when that month's up, you'll be automatically charged for the next 11 months of membership (which you can opt out of). The last time MS offered a deal on Gold membership was back in March, where Silver users were offered one year of the good stuff for $39.99, $10 off the regular price.[Thanks, Sam!]
European Xbox owners get free Live Gold this weekend
It's an Xbox Xtival! (Don't try to pronounce it -- you may summon Cthulu.) European Xbox 360 owners will be treated to a weekend of free Xbox Live Gold access in this virtual "party" featuring Halo 3, Lips, Guitar Hero and more. The free Gold experience should activate automatically, allowing even lowly non-paying customers to jump online in their favorite favourite games.[Via Slickdeals.net]
Limited-time Xbox Live Gold price cut for Silver subscribers
Microsoft is offering a $10 discount off Xbox Live Gold subscriptions to those currently set up with free Silver accounts. Ads for $39.99/year Gold accounts have popped up on Xbox.com and within the Xbox 360 interface, causing some confusion as to whether this is a permanent price drop.Contacted for comment, Microsoft told us that it is "currently running a promotion in-dash that gives Silver members a special opportunity to upgrade to the full benefits of Gold membership at a reduced price for a limited time." Specifically, it's being extended to all current and new Silver accounts, redeemable via the 360's dash and on Xbox.com, and ... doesn't have a set end date, according to MS. But it is time-limited. (Love those invisible time limits!)Some retailers, including Amazon.com, are offering physical 12-month -- actually, 13-month -- account cards for the same $39.99 price. When asked, Microsoft said that this is no indication of a planned permanent price drop for yearly subscriptions. Sony's PSN crew just smiled.[Thanks, Will!]
Xbox Live gold members get crowned on Xbox.com
Today, Major Nelson Twittered word that a new graphical enhancement has been added to Xbox.com and should give Live gold subscribers a serious case of the warm fuzzies. The new addition: a tiny gold crown icon (), which is now located on Xbox.com's mini Gamercard.It may be small, it may be useless and it may have no application to the "real world," but we're still proud of our new crown. It'll probably be the only royal jewels we'll ever own and, for the yearly $50 subscription fee, we think it's the least Microsoft could offer us.
Xbox Live Gold subscription on sale at Amazon for $29.97
You heard it right! Microsoft's Xbox Live Gold subscription, which normally runs $50 annually, is being sold by Amazon right this very instant for $29.97. A similar discount was apparently going on at Buy.com last week, so we're not sure what it all means, but we suppose it could mean that Microsoft might possibly be moving toward a lower price for the subscription (don't hold your breath). We don't really know "why" or "how" this has happened, but it "rules" and we're looking forward to all the extra cash our avatar's going to have in the coming year for new hats and fingerless gloves. [Via PC World]
XBLM Deal of the Week: Bomberman Live
Larry Hryb – Xbox Live's Major Nelson – has dropped a bomb via his blog. Er, rather, he delivered news of a dropping in price of the Avatar-supporting Bomberman Live. As of Tuesday, December 16, the game will be on sale for 600 ($7.50), down from 800 ($10). The special price will be in effect for seven days.There's still a wee bit of time left to snag last week's deal, the Foo Fighters album The Colour and the Shape for Rock Band, at 1200 ($15). After today, it returns to 1600 ($20).
Halo 3 Legendary maps kick off 'Holiday Deal of the Week' on XBLM
Following a tepid Black Friday sale this past weekend, Major Nelson has announced the Xbox Live Marketplace "Holiday Deal of the Week." Launching tomorrow, the weekly promotion will feature one discounted item for, well, one week during this month of December. First up, the Halo 3 "Legendary Map Pack" will be offered for 400 ($5) -- marked down 33% from 600 -- tomorrow, beginning 12 pm ET, through next Monday. (Can't these maps go free already -- like the Heroic pack? Sheesh.) The month-long run of deals will only be available to Xbox Live Gold members and is open to all Xbox Live regions. Major plans to announce a new deal every Monday, with the item going on sale the following day (Tuesday) for a full week. What goods would you like to see propped in the bargain window?
Xbox Live Marketplace Black Friday sale
It's not just your friendly neighborhood retailers looking to take advantage of your weekend weakened state of mind this Friday. No, online marketplaces are looking to snag your credit card digits, too, as you sit slumped before your computer screen after awakening from a paralyzing food coma with an insatiable appetite to ... BUY! Microsoft's Major Nelson has posted the Black Friday discounts for Xbox Live Marketplace, available to Xbox Live Gold members "Friday morning" through "Sunday evening" (an originally stated start time of 6 am ET has been removed). The sale includes Xbox Live Arcade games, premium DLC and several NXE Themes. Full details are posted after the break.
Free 360 content now coming to Silver members a week late
With the PS3 constantly expanding its free online offering, the onus has been put on Microsoft to justify (or drop) its fees for Xbox Live Gold. The company has given Gold members a pseudo added value by keeping free content (demos, DLC, etc.) exclusive to Gold members for one week, after which it will be passed down like a threadbare, stained Led Zeppelin T-shirt to Silver members.You read that right, Gold members: Your newest perk is that Silver members are getting hosed. We'll give you a moment to luxuriate in the exclusivity. Making it even sweeter, Silver members will still be able to see the content, it will just be undownloadable, a status signified by a red circle with a line through it. We Gold members will be pushing to have that symbol replaced with a picture of Bill Gates giving you the finger.[Via X3F]
A new Halo 3'ified version of Xbox Live Gold cards
Bored with your average Xbox Live Gold subscription cards? Sick of the standard orange, yellow, and green swirls artwork and want some Halo flavor? Well, we've got you covered with a new darker and prettier 12 month subscription card featuring some Halo 3 goodness. As you can see, it's Master Chief standing in an intimidating pose ready to take on the entire Covenant fleet (or so that's what our imagination tells us). You'll also notice the subscription card adds an additional month for free, bumping it up to 13 months. We can only speculate that the additional month was added due to the whole "3" reference ... get it? Mark your calendar for April 20th and prepare to stand in line for days on end. We're certain (not really) that these subscription cards will sell out fast.[Via Live Gamer]
Free Xbox Live Gold weekend for Australia
Australian and New Zealand fanboys who have Xbox Live silver accounts will be happy to know that a free gold weekend is upon them. Thanks to Ubisoft's charitable nature, GRAW 2 will be sponsoring an Australian and New Zealand free gold play weekend starting Friday, March 9th and running through Sunday, March 11th. Fellow silver members take advantage of your free play weekend as they are quite the rarity. Second thought, just purchase a Xbox Live gold subscription and all your life problems will disappear. That's almost a guarantee.[Via IGN]
Frosting-coated Xbox Live Gold for free
If the Xbox beanie for eating Pop-Tarts wasn't enough, now you can munch your way to a free 48 hour Xbox Live Gold trial. Been playing Gears of War but haven't taken it online yet? Itching to play Uno in multiplayer? All this can now be yours, a few small toaster pastries later. You'll also get a Viva Piñata music video download for free, which we know you're dying to see. Get out there, binge on sugar, and come challenge us to some gaming. Better yet, combine a Burger King value meal, Big Bumpin', a Pop-Tarts dessert, and you're all over the gaming map. Frosting optional. Just don't blame us when you can no longer see your own feet.
Save $20 on Live Vision + Live Gold bundle
Stootsi.com is having a sale on the Live Vision camera. They are currently offering the $79.99 bundle, which includes a year of Xbox Live Gold, for $54.99 plus $5.00 shipping. That's $20.00 off the regular price. It's a pretty good deal if you haven't already picked one up. Stootsi has even provided potential buyers with a list of "things that will have to change now that you're gaming on camera": Keep the stack of pizza boxes to eight high or less Church-goin clothes in case you meet that special someone Heavy reduction in obscene pelvic-thrusting after a headshot (.... what?) No more Cheetos stains, or an Orange-centric wardrobe Do something so that your parent's basement doesn't look so much like your parent's basement Put those Ninja pajamas to good use, finally Silverware for your hot pockets Make your ethnic slurs a little more subtle You'll have to change your 'No Meth for Minors' policy to clean up your gaming room Like P. Diddy says, "Preserve your sexy" with Pro-Activ skin solution Anybody plan on picking one up? Remember, you only have one day to get this deal.[Thanks, James Martin and Nate]
