Gold subscription required for XBLive Multiplayer?

[Apples]

I was not able to locate a thread on this topic, so I thought I'd ask. Is a gold-level XBLive subscription required for online multiplayer on the 360 platform? In general, I would suspect yes, but I'd like to know some solid information before purchasing an account upgrade and finding out it was un-neccessary.

If the answer is yes, does the community have a preferred method for purchasing said subscriptions? I've seen deals posted from time to time, such as the current 38$/13 months posted on a popular retail site.

[mobhit101]

Yes. You need a gold membership to play multiplayer

[Eastwood]

I've always had a gold, so I'm not sure on this, but I think you need at least a Silver to play on weekdays, you can play online free during weekends. Gold has the best community, though.

[LoneSteele]

I like to buy my subscription codes on eBay. The seller emails you the code, so there is no shipping costs, and you generally save $10-$15 for 13 months vs. buying 12 months off XBL. I've done this 3 times without any problems.

[Apples]

Wow, I post and within minutes I have a whole flood of information. That's service for ya! Thanks for confirming the (semi) obvious. :)

[Kaboobi]

Gold is required to play any game other than MMOs online.
Amazon has 13 month cards for $40, which isn't too bad a deal.

[FatWilma]

damn, i thought i was gettin the better deal. its $50 for 13 months at retail stores, and i believe its $60 for 12 months if u get it straight from XBL. i need to hit up amazon next time, i dont know about the ebay emailing of codes. sounds a lil sketch, thats awesome u've had good luck with it tho LoneSteele.

[Bakkster_Man]

Gold is required to play any game other than MMOs online.


damn, i thought i was gettin the better deal. its $50 for 13 months at retail stores, and i believe its $60 for 12 months if u get it straight from XBL.

Well, I WAS planning to just auto-pay with my credit card, but that's a way better deal. Seriously, how are cards cheaper than a direct charge?

In any case, sounds like Amazon is the way to go. $38 wireless controllers FTW!

[ocfanman]

I like you waited for a decent game to come out that I actually wanted to play online, Ill buy a subscription when I buy RB but if that ebay thing is legit I might get it from there

[gh2masterwellalmost]

I was not able to locate a thread on this topic, so I thought I'd ask. Is a gold-level XBLive subscription required for online multiplayer on the 360 platform? In general, I would suspect yes, but I'd like to know some solid information before purchasing an account upgrade and finding out it was un-neccessary.

If the answer is yes, does the community have a preferred method for purchasing said subscriptions? I've seen deals posted from time to time, such as the current 38$/13 months posted on a popular retail site.

Well duh. Any multiplayer is XBL Gold, but you can still get DLC.

[sushi111]

Xbox LIVE is really worth it. Plus its not too much.

[McDeezy]

XBL Gold is the best thing that has happened to consoles. It really is the best community for gaming. Everything about it just kicks major ass. XBLA is my favorite thing.

[Apples]

XBL Gold is the best thing that has happened to consoles. It really is the best community for gaming. Everything about it just kicks major ass. XBLA is my favorite thing.

Huge XBLA nut myself. It's practically the best thing since ever (besides GH2 and Rock Band) and it gets better *weekly*.

After reading the thread I finally went with the 38$ / 13 month XBL Gold special on buy.com. The best part is I have like 10 months of back games I can now enjoy on XBLive, the perfect thing to kill some time until Rock Band's arrival.

[McDeezy]

Huge XBLA nut myself. It's practically the best thing since ever (besides GH2 and Rock Band) and it gets better *weekly*.


My favorite game is Geometry Wars. I got 968,000 and died. Never got the 1 mil achievement. I think that was the closest I've ever come to dying from just anger.

[Rock_Starman]

Can't get all DLC. Can't download roster updates in some sports games and there's some free pic packs and themes that aren't downloadable.

[Pdj7969]

Well, I WAS planning to just auto-pay with my credit card, but that's a way better deal. Seriously, how are cards cheaper than a direct charge?

You have to look at the transaction-side of credit vs. gift card. Visa and MasterCard charge the merchant something between $1 - $3 per transaction, whereas it costs Microsoft nothing but the incidental material charges to create and package the pre-pay cards. Stores then purchase those in bulk at a lower-than-retail price. As incentive to lure potential customers, the stores can offer discounts and deals to snag the sale which MS can't complain about because they already got their money for the bulk purchase....its up to the stores to choose whether or not they will profit from it by charging the MSRP or discounting to increase volume purchases -- either way they profit.

Credit card transaction via XBL are bound by Microsoft's pricing and the fees that have to be collected for the transaction. They, in turn, offer a discount on purchasing 3, 6, and 12-month subscriptions. Monthly subscription = $7.99/month. Prepaid subscriptions range from ~$15 - $50 depending on where you buy it. Its worth it to get prepaid. Trust me.

[Bakkster_Man]

You have to look at the transaction-side of credit vs. gift card. Visa and MasterCard charge the merchant something between $1 - $3 per transaction, whereas it costs Microsoft nothing but the incidental material charges to create and package the pre-pay cards. Stores then purchase those in bulk at a lower-than-retail price. As incentive to lure potential customers, the stores can offer discounts and deals to snag the sale which MS can't complain about because they already got their money for the bulk purchase....its up to the stores to choose whether or not they will profit from it by charging the MSRP or discounting to increase volume purchases -- either way they profit.

Credit card transaction via XBL are bound by Microsoft's pricing and the fees that have to be collected for the transaction. They, in turn, offer a discount on purchasing 3, 6, and 12-month subscriptions. Monthly subscription = $7.99/month. Prepaid subscriptions range from ~$15 - $50 depending on where you buy it. Its worth it to get prepaid. Trust me.

I guess I forgot about the transaction fees. Well, looks like I'm going to start doing cards...