Xbox Silver "Access massively multiplayer online games (additional fees may apply)"

[PittsburghAfterDark]

So are games like FF XI, Huxley etc. playable online without Gold? Are they going to sell the game for $69.99 or $79.99 for MMO's and then waive the monthly fees or allow you to play them withoout a Gold membership?

Does anyone have any details beyond this completely generic statement?

Obviously I'm a XBL subscriber (Going on year 4.) and it's not an issue for me but will MMO's be populated by more players as a result of this?

[Deadpool]

I'd think i'd actually be less players if they are going to bump XBL that much.

[Spoon_si]

I think it should be free sine xbox live is in the $60 range a yr...

but likly there will be a monthly.. fees...

Damn I'm already paying $65 month broadband fees already...
+ Xbox live.. if there a FFO fee.. screw that game then...

[mietha]

FFXI, Huxley and every other MMO will have additional fees. FFXI is 12.95 monthly on PS2. It most likely will be between 12.95 and 14.95. 14.95 is standard now. EQ, EQII, WOW, AO, etc all charge that. I would also say it will require gold, but in what case would someone be willing to pay $15 a month for FFXI and not willing to pay $50 a year for Xbox live? Although, looking at that statement, it would appear you wouldn't need gold. But I still say it is most likely a case that would never come up anyway. As for the price of FFXI, it will be $60 (assuming that is the new standard, which there is almost no chance it will not be). It was only so expensive on the PS2 because it came with a hard drive. The only MMO that might not have a monthly fee is a MS first party one. I don't really see that happening though, because it would rather severely piss off any other company that released one on the 360 and actually needs the monthly fees to operate. Remember, EQ lost money until year 5. MMOs are not cheap to produce, maintain, or host.

[Brak]

Simply put, I wouldn't pay extra to play a game online if I already pay for Xbox Live.

[mcwilliams132]

I think you can expect to see exclusive mods via mirco-transactions...such as exclusive weapons, and other gadgetry - Oblivion will have this.

But don't expect to play any games online with the Silver package; however it's been mentioned that Live will have "gold preview" weekends where you'll be able to play mp games.

Also, I think most games will come with a 1month gold-trial - if I read the latest reports right.

[radjago]

According to this article (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/655/655146p2.html), Xbox Live Arcade users will have to subscribe to a Gold Membership to be able to download paid games. Silver members will only be able to demo XBL Arcade games. That seems like an extreme disincentive to buy those games.

[jawman311]

According to this article (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/655/655146p2.html), Xbox Live Arcade users will have to subscribe to a Gold Membership to be able to download paid games. Silver members will only be able to demo XBL Arcade games. That seems like an extreme disincentive to buy those games.

if u use a 30 month trial, can u download the arcade games and then keep playing them when ur trial is over?

[Purkeynator]

Tell me where I can aquire one of these 30 month trials. I will take two.

[dafoomie]

MMO's will have separate fees. Those fees are the same, whether you have Silver or Gold. You don't need Gold to play the MMO's as long as you're paying their fees.

[road3283]

Also, I think most games will come with a 1month gold-trial - if I read the latest reports right.

I think the systems, both premium and core, and not the games come with a 1 month gold trial and then there will be random free weekends.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

I hope to God they do away with the free one and two month XBL memberships. They single handedly ruined a whole lot of Halo 2 games.