Microsoft has announced they’ll be giving Xbox Live silver accounts access to play some multi-player cross-platform games for free until the fall update. Recently, Microsoft announced free online play with Games for Windows titles, effectively giving PC gamers “gold accounts” to play online.
Most people agree the move to give gold subscriptions to PC gamers was done because PC gamers don’t care to play Games for Windows games online if they have to pay for it. The culture of PC gaming is much different than console gaming on XBL, gamers expect the online experience at no cost; they’re already paying an ISP for network access, paying for a match-making system with a yearly subscription is not desired.
Console gamers don’t have a choice, buying the 360 experience arrives with simple to play games (no drivers, no installs) but limited online choices: pay or go away. Now, silver members will get a little taste of network play, along side PC gamers in the cross-platform Games for Windows titles.
“Supported cross-platform titles include Universe at War, Shadowrun, and Lost Planet: Colonies Edition.” (gamespot)
We question the intention here… is this as a good faith move or are they wetting people’s appitite for XBL so they’ll want to upgrade to gold in the fall? Or, maybe there are some logistical reasons to doing this in the Xbox Live infrastructure to prepare for upgrades where making it free solves a few of their internal upgrade paths and, as a side effect, gives gamers some games to play.
Of course, we’ve seen few people playing Shadowrun or Lost Planet lately. Maybe this will re-popularize a few older titles as well.
Hi guys.
Thanks for the episode 🙂
I have not been playing a lot, because i am more into wathcing movies and TV shows instead of gaming. But i played some Magic the Gathering Arena at least:)
Plaguetale: this looks really nice, lets see when it will come out and if i will find time for it 🙂
Minecraft Legends: i could not think of much things, which interest me less than this 😀
Sonic: i was never into all the sonic games … its too chaotic and fast for me .. dont like games like that 🙂
german language: it´s even harder if you are native speaker, to hear and feel how our language is goind down more and more. More slang and english words. Its sad that the youth does not even want to talk “real” german, they have their own language 🙁
Smart TVs: i really love all this functionality, not even the TVs. I made a lot automated in my home. I love my harmony, and i did a lot with Alexa and some routines. Sure its all just for fun, but i love it 🙂 I have a LG 4k 3d HDR Smart TV … it was freakin expensive .. but the quality is awwesome 🙂 Connected is a new Denon AVR receiver and a 5.1 Teufel Sound system 🙂
Please stay healthy and keep on with the interesting work 🙂
Greetings,
Ralf