Gamertell

Microsoft is once again it is apologizing. No, not for consoles bursting into flames, again (at least, not that we know of). This time, Microsoft has the unfortunate problem of too many Xbox Live users glogging the network. I know - so much money coming in for a paid service and still connections are failing.

In an effort to make amends, Microsoft is going to allow every Xbox Live subscriber to download one XBLA (Xbox Live Arcade) game for free. The details are still a bit sketchy as to whether or not it will be any game, one from a list of games or a single, predetermined game.

Here’s the official note from Xbox Live’s General Manager, Marc Whitten, as posted on MajorNelson:

Dear Xbox LIVE Members: 

During this past holiday season you helped us break a number of Xbox LIVE records.  This included our largest sign-up of new members to Xbox LIVE in our 5 year history and just yesterday you broke the record for the single biggest day of concurrent members ever on the service.

As a result of this massive increase in usage we know that some of you experienced intermittent Xbox LIVE issues over the holiday break.  While the service was not completely offline at any given time, we are disappointed in our performance.  I would like to take this moment to thank each and every one of you for your patience and understanding as our team has worked around the clock to return the service to a stable state.

At the same time we would like to offer a token of our appreciation to all of you in celebration of record success for the service.  And as a thank you for your loyalty during this holiday period, we will be offering all of our Xbox LIVE members around the world access to a full Xbox LIVE Arcade game that will be available to download free of charge.  In the coming weeks we will be sharing the specific details of this offer with you.

Thank you again for helping make Xbox LIVE everything that it is today!

Sincerely,

Marc Whitten
General Manager, Xbox LIVE
Gamertag: Notwen

Based on the price of most Xbox Live games, one free game basically amounts to a $10 gimme. Of course, some gamers think these downloadable games (and downloadable content) should already be offered for free, especially is they are layers with sponsors and in-game advertising. Sony did this with a free download of Grand Turismo HD for Christmas 2006.

An apology is wonderful and a free game is nice, but why not do away with the subscription fee altogether? After all, Microsoft is already nickle-and-diming gamers with microfees for add-on content in addition to the paid service.

If they want to make this apology mean something and still charge the stinkin’ annual fee, they should definitely allow gamers to pick the game they can download or simply provide everyone with enough Microsoft Points to choose a few videos, several types of extra content or a couple full games. About 4000 Microsoft Points (US$50) should do.

Read [GameDaily] Also Read [Gizmodo]

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