Free Online Play at Microsoft

Microsoft announced recently that it doesn't plan to charge users for playing classic games and CD-ROM titles on its Internet Gaming Zone. There has been speculation about the company's business model recently, since Microsoft said it would offer two online-only titles (Asheron's Call and Microsoft Fighter Ace) starting this August. These premium titles would carry a minimum daily or monthly online playing fee. Pricing strategy has been viewed as vital to the growth of online services, and this makes the Zone unique from other online gaming services.