Microsoft Releases New Xbox Live Details

Microsoft has revealed their new Xbox Live plans today, designed to work with the new Xbox 360 game console.

In addition to the free Xbox Live Silver membership available to every Xbox 360 owner, for only $49.99 (U.S.) or $59.99 (CDN) gamers can upgrade to a 12-month Xbox Live Gold membership. The Gold membership includes a new Xbox 360 headset, Xbox Live Arcade games, mail-in rebates good towards Xbox 360 games, and Microsoft Points which you can use in their new online marketplace.

The new Xbox Live programs will also allow gamers to signup without a credit card. So far Microsoft has only mentioned that cash and “other methods” of payments are available, although the details have not been completely hashed out and announced.

Xbox Live Silver is a free level of the service offered to all who own an Xbox 360 system, a high-speed Internet connection, and a memory unit or a hard drive. The Xbox Live Gold membership delivers the full Xbox Live premium online experience annually for $49.99 (U.S.)/$59.99 (CDN), which averages to a little more than $4 a month (U.S.).