Free Live weekend canceled?

[UPDATE] Microsoft pulls Free Xbox Live Gold weekend promo from its calendar just a day after news hits the Web; state of event up in the air.

Yesterday, next-gen gamers on a budget were happy to hear about a new promotion from Microsoft. The Free Xbox Live Gold Weekend was designed to do exactly what its name says--give all Xbox 360 owners a chance to experience the benefits of a Gold membership on Xbox Live--and was scheduled to begin April 1.

Silver subscribers were happy to hear the news, as they would be able to take on other gamers in online multiplayer games without paying for the service, which costs $7.99 a month or $49.99 for a year. Many Gold-level subscribers, on the other hand, weren't exactly looking forward to sharing the space with "noobs."

Now it looks as though the division between the rich and the richer may remain. The 72-hour trial was first made public on Xbox.com's calendar of upcoming events but has since been removed.

When asked to comment on the weekend yesterday, a Microsoft rep said the company had not yet announced such a thing and was unaware of its existence. So was the posting on the Xbox.com calendar a cruel April Fools' Day joke? An error on the part of an employee? Silver subscribers had better save their pennies, as nothing is certain now.

[UPDATE] On Gamerscore Blog, a blog written by Microsoft employees, a post clears up the confusion. Apparently, a free Xbox Live Gold weekend is indeed in the works, but details have not been finalized.

"The Xbox.com team pulled [the calendar announcement] down, because the dates were tentative...We'll share details as soon as we can," reads the post.

70 Comments

  • IMDLEGEND

    Posted Feb 27, 2006 10:54 am PT

    I don't see what the big deal is either. I hear others complaining about noobs who cheat. Paying members cheat too. Besides, it is only for ONE WEEKEND!!!!! If it bothers you that much, just don't play that weekend (and get some fresh air!!!)

  • grnidbandit

    Posted Feb 27, 2006 10:02 am PT

    Oh well fanboys looks like you have to pay to communicate to one another now.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Feb 27, 2006 8:21 am PT

    haha...... m$ give something away for free???? NOT!!!!

  • ufopuller

    Posted Feb 27, 2006 7:24 am PT

    Nothing is for free

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Feb 27, 2006 7:20 am PT

    i hope MS can see me cuz i'm gesturing as hard as i can

  • lumpydonut

    Posted Feb 27, 2006 4:19 am PT

    I don't really mind either way.I think its a good idea so that the silver people will see how fun Gold is and maby buy it but thats all business.I like the fact that during the weekdays I can play on my normal Gold account , and on the weekends I can play on my silver.

  • darknferno12

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 11:41 pm PT

    I'm happy they canceled that. I know it seems good but i as a gold memeber know what it's like to play with or againt people that have a free two-month trail, it's bad, they cheat, there rude, they don't care why because there playing for free and if they get banned they don't care. So good job Microsoft.

  • wizo59mt

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 10:39 pm PT

    Thats fine with me, they should give gold memebers who aleady pay to play big something like a free download even if its a free gamer pic or something, i really dont care if it would make better money for microsoft really, what about us loyal payers already. all they have to do is buy a subscription card and try it. Or use a free promo card that comes along in a game occasionally. thats how i feel about. screw those noobs. they need to step up and quit being cheap, 8 bucks a month for god sakes.

  • hilltj

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 6:05 pm PT

    Doesn't everyone get a free month of Gold with the 360 anyway?

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 6:01 pm PT

    That's a sure way to get people on your side for the next-gen race MS. *sarcasm*

  • veracity024

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 5:29 pm PT

    hgahahahahahahahah

  • Psycho_Teen

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 3:08 pm PT

    See ms plan is to tell everyone about it then say they have no idea what were talking about than say just kidding we do,. So they can have 3 - 4 news articles on every game site talking about their free gold weekend so everyone knows about it. Their doing the same thing with the halo 2 launch date. lol

  • bigbo0st

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 2:07 pm PT

    YAY that means no little dumb kids going around screaming "hey you cheater stop or im telling my momy"

  • i_am1029

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 8:19 am PT

    If you have a 360, and you have broadband internet your a fool if you don't have Live.

  • landau492

    Posted Feb 26, 2006 1:36 am PT

    shame on you for breing so greedy

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 10:48 pm PT

    i knew it was too good to be true

  • townsenda1

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 10:29 pm PT

    Well that sux. Too bad for Xbox live users. Keep paying.

  • xmystakalx

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 10:02 pm PT

    Just stop being cheap and buy xbox live. If you can afford to buy a game you can afford xbox live

  • kingotnw

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 9:29 pm PT

    I dont see why you guys just dont pay for the service if its such a big deal to have it for you. I had to pay, you should too.

  • BustedUjoint

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 8:19 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • BustedUjoint

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 8:15 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • snowbrdr1119

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 7:30 pm PT

    i wouldn't really mind shoot up a few more noobs on xbox live, but like people have said, the first month they got the console they had a gold membership, if that didn't convince them to get it, why would a weekend. Just save up and get a membership, it's like $4 a month, just don't go to McDonalds one day a month and you could afford it. I don't understand what all of the complaining is about.

  • Tjr41991

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 4:46 pm PT

    hey jasonpopnc too bad ps2 online is absolute garbage.

  • Tjr41991

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 4:39 pm PT

    idc i already have gold for a year......

  • NYLatenite

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 4:30 pm PT

    I'm a Live Gold member, and I personally think it's cool that MS would let everyone try Live Gold for a weekend, however since I pay for Live (as do all the other Gold members after the trial period) there should be an extention of our memberships in the same number of days issued for free.

  • VFA-102

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 3:44 pm PT

    Hindug has a hell of a point.

  • megocrazy

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 2:54 pm PT

    That's very odd. I signed up for Xbox Live through my 360 and was given a month free trial of Xbox Live Gold. If this 72 hour free trial is for new users why weren't they given a month free trial like I was? I just signed up on February 10th.

  • snakes2solid

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 10:56 am PT

    noob?..lol.. everyone was a noob once so stop the hating..even though i'm not a noob...it's very funny that peeps are against noobs...and put up some good content for download....not rehashed crap like cod2!!.. put up demos for ghost,,gears,,outfit..lost planet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,that will draw in more gold members!!!..

  • OPOLO

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 10:40 am PT

    Please don't offer any free weekends

  • secily

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 9:42 am PT

    its an april fools joke!

  • Khimarhi

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 9:12 am PT

    well that sux really i have a gold membership already but it sux for everyone else

  • Lungz5

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 8:47 am PT

    Also, for the whiners, if you don't like it, go by Gold.

  • AncientDozer

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 3:19 am PT

    I concure with Shadow, though I probably wouldn't put it quite as bluntly. . . or maybe I would. Maybe people here are way too quick to jump to conclusions. Maybe they do throw hissy fits at things they might not fully understand. . it's a sad fact of life, but I'll survive. Especially when people eat their words. It isn't cancelled and Microsoft isn't screwing you [hard] in the butt. Be patient, for once. Have faith. Not in Sony, not in Nintendo, and not in Microsoft. Have faith in the omni gaming spirit. The spirit of all games and gaming.

  • shadowz33

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 3:10 am PT

    So how does Microsoft screw up ? its apparent that something of that nature isn't easy to pull off, so they probably wanna wait to smooth out all the issues and officially annouce the details. Why are people so whinny and ***chy in the gamespot forums ? all people do is complain... when it happens it happens. i'd love for anyone who whines about what Microsoft is doing with the Xbox 360 take up the posistion and see if they can handle a million tasks. I love my 360 and everything about it. 400 spent well.

  • SnuffDaddyNZ

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 2:33 am PT

    "Microsoft screws up once again "

    Maybe, but their screwup's have made them Billion's of dollars. None of my accomplishments have come close to Microsofts screwups in terms of dollar value.

  • KiLLer_ba

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 1:01 am PT

    Wow that was quick, only 24hr. I agree with Jason, who cant afford $50 for Xbox Live. Its cheaper than an actual Xbox 360 game.

  • gameloverx

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 12:21 am PT

    you know Microsoft you left millions of Xbox live fans heart broken but you keep gambling in the underworld of gaming and i mean that's alot of bull.Atention all Gamespot users we should boycott Microsoft's HQ chant saying "We want our free Xbox Live Gold menbership now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

  • Gizmo24

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 10:45 pm PT

    Thats just sad. I have the XBL Gold and I was hoping for even more action on the XBL.

  • fat_shark

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 9:24 pm PT

    I just enjoyed reading hissy fits from people before the update was posted. How do you complain about not getting something that you didn't really earn in the first place? What are you going to do, demand your money back?

  • dukerav

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 9:19 pm PT

    "Apparently, a free Xbox Live Gold weekend is indeed in the works, but details have not been finalized." It is still going to happen.

  • Drudaddy

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 8:42 pm PT

    they didnt cancel nothing the dates were not accurate that's all they will announce details soon.

  • Super_Munch

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 7:51 pm PT

    Read the article, idiots. It's still on, just not on the date previously stated.

  • alberto2045

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 7:31 pm PT

    lolololololol that is just hillarious

  • GreyFoxV1

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 6:36 pm PT

    I dont see why so many people are freaking out over this, its not like it wont happen. Oh yeah I forgot that most of the complainers are whiny 12 year olds

  • mickel_darmawan

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 5:39 pm PT

    who care anyway.

  • ax_prime_basic

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 5:29 pm PT

    I am just really sick of the whole concept of noobs. Anyone who's too arrogant and selfish to have patience to try and show new players the ropes should really not be playing multiplayer games in the first place, because they suck at being social and being people in general. I personally love introducing new people to my favorite games. The more people play, the more successful it is and the community expands and thrives. Everyone is a noob at some point. And I'm sorry, it's not a valid insult either... seriously, no one looked at the person buying the first xbox 360 and mocked him/her for being a "newbie" to the 360. God damn idiots everywhere I tell you. As for the cancellation of this event, I think it isn't a good idea... giving people a chance to sample Live for free would be a great thing. I got a free month of Live with a game, and after that I stayed with it because I realized it is a great service, and I'd expect a lot of people who haven't subscribed to Gold and were given the chance to would hop on and populate various game servers even more. But gee, the elite few wouldn't like the n00bs, or newbs, or noobs, or nubs, or whatever retarded english-butchering title they can come up with for people they want to **** on. If you really don't like new people coming on board and supporting your favorite platform, you can just play those MMO's that no one else does and keep getting merged onto different servers... because it takes more than "the elite few" to keep a service like Live going strong.

  • SonicTactic

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 5:08 pm PT

    Xbox Live Gold Subscription is cheap, i dont know why they would offer it for free anyway.

  • revelations

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 4:43 pm PT

    GO AND BUY IT THEN, but dont be mad.

  • Ninjamonkeyofd

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 4:41 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • DragonAshX

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 4:40 pm PT

    Amen Jasonpopnc... there is definatly a reason why ps2 online is free. You truly do get what you pay for.

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