Arrow Mk84 wrote:Unless I drastically mistaken, the 360 will have free online play. To get the extras, you'll have to pay, but the core stuff is suppose to be free.
You're drastically mistaken. There is XBox Live Silver, which is free, and XBox Live Gold, that you have to pay for. This leads to the assumption of free online play.
Read the specs carefully. XBox Live Silver offers:
* 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)
And XBox Live Gold offers:
* 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
Taken from XBox.com
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/onlinespecs.htm
So basicly; XBox Live Silver gives you downloadable patches and content, the ability to buy stuff on the Marketplace, and voice and text chat.
You have to pay for XBox Live Gold to actually play games online (and get video chat).
XBox Live Silver is free. XBox Live Gold is
$8 a month or $50 a year..
It's a nice trick though; they make you THINK you're getting a good deal because you're getting something free