Xbox Live Turns Five

To celebrate its fifth birthday, subscribers can download a free Xbox Live Arcade game.

It’s a different kind of birthday party. Instead of receiving gifts to celebrate turning five, Microsoft’s Xbox Live service is giving something to subscribers. From this morning until tomorrow night, they’ll be able to download a free Xbox Live Arcade game. And for those who’ve been part of it all since they beginning, there are 500 Microsoft points as a thank-you.   The service currently has eight million members in 26 countries.   But that’s not all. Beginning December 4, Microsoft will makr full Xbox games, called “Xbox Originals” available to subscribers. For 1,200 Microsoft points – which equates to $15 – users will be able to download and own games like Halo and Fable, with more coming available during 2008.