New Xbox Live Pricing Revealed
NiteStar writes "The new packages and pricing of the Xbox LIVE Gold service have been leaked. The 'Premium Gold' 12 month pack, retailing at 70USD, will include the Gold Xbox LIVE subscription, a communicator headset, "Billiards" Xbox LIVE Arcade game, $20 discount on a games purchase and 200 points in the Xbox LIVE marketplace. The 'Gold' 12months will just include the subscription and an extra free month for 60USD/year. Packages for 3months and 1month will also be available."
Actually, all you can do for free is keep a friends list, voice chat, and WATCH the online games. You won't be able to play online without getting the Gold package.
From: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/onlinespecs.htm
Xbox Live Silver level
Create an online Gamer Profile
Access the Xbox Live Marketplace
Engage in voice and text messaging
Talk to a single friend at a time using voice chat
Receive video messages from Gold level members
Access massively multiplayer online games (additional fees may apply)
Xbox Live Gold level
Paid level of service
All the features of Silver level, and additionally:
o Play multiplayer games online
o Video chat
o Multiplayer online tournaments
o Participate in Xbox Live online programming, such as Game with Fame, Play and Win, and Prime Time activities
Everybody with a 360 and a broadband connection can play online for exactly $0 extra.
Wrong. Everyone with a 360 and broadband can go online with the patently useless Xbox Live Silver. About all that lets you do is have a gamertag and a friends list.
You cannot play online with Silver (the built-in one). You need Gold to play your regular games multiplayer, just as you have to pay for Xbox 1 Live.