X'03: Xbox Live! New Details News

X’03 has been and gone; unfortunately our high hopes for the event from previous outings were cruelly dashed as Microsoft decided against making any key announcements, instead relying on new Xbox Live! promotions and territories.<br><br>Before the event, the gaming journo collective were talking about the chances of Halo2 Multiplayer details, new Rare games, and the highly rumoured price-cut amongst other things. As it stands Bungie were saying nothing about the shooter with any sensible question met with a ‘we can’t comment on that right now’, whilst ‘Perfect Dark Zero’ was conspicuous in its absence and Microsoft had to rely on new pricing strategies and promotions in an attempt to kickstart Xbox Live! <br><br>As of October 30th, Xbox Live! will launch in six new European territories:<br><ul><br><li>Austria<br><li>Denmark<br><li>Finland<br><li>Ireland<br><li>Norway<br><li>Switzerland<br></ul><br><br>Thankfully recognising the need for flexibility, Microsoft confirmed that a new monthly subscription fee would be made available after the initial one-year subscription. A month’s subscription will cost a respectable £4.99/6.99 euro and can be renewed from the Xbox Live! dashboard.<br><br>In addition Microsoft confirmed that the recently announced American promotion system would be employed in Europe. For a limited time, select Xbox Live! titles will come with a trial two-month Xbox Live! subscription; these include:<br><ul><br><li>Amped 2<br><li>Crimson Skies<br><li>Dancing Stage Unleashed<br><li>Links<br><li>Magic: The Gathering<br><li>Project Gotham Racing 2<br><li>TOCA Race Driver<br><li>Sega GT Online<br><li>Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy<br><li>Tom Clancy’s: Rainbow Six 3<br><li>Top Spin<br><li>Xbox Music Mixer<br><li>XIII<br></ul><br><br>For “convenience’s sake”, after the two-month trial gamers will be charged the Xbox Live! monthly subscription rate of £4.99/6.99 euro or an annuals subscription of £39.99/59.99 euros unless cancelled by the gamer.