The Video Game Critic

Okay, well, sort of.  I noticed this past November Microsoft didn't charge me for my annual Xbox live subscription.  Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth I just kept on playing.  That is until I decided I wanted to purchase an Xbox live arcade game and needed to purchase additional Microsoft Points.  Well, low and behold my debit card's expiration had come and gone way back in June.

 

So, for the past 6 months I've been gaming on Xbox Live without having a valid card.  Not once did Microsoft send me a little note asking me to update my card or anything.  aka, Microsoft rocks.  Apparently, they'll let you continue playing without a hassle when your expiration on your card goes up.  No doubt, they'll figure this out eventually or the user will just update his account on his own like I did.  Regardless, I was pretty impressed. 

 

Long story short, once you update your card with a new expiration date the charges for xbox live kick in but until then you're playing for free.

 

So, if you want to do the same look through your stack of plastic and find one with an upcoming expiration date, use that and then toss it.  You can always purchase xbox live points at the retailer versus buying them online (wish I would have done that instead).

 

[QUOTE=ActRaiser]Okay, well, sort of.  I noticed this past November Microsoft didn't charge me for my annual Xbox live subscription.  Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth I just kept on playing.  That is until I decided I wanted to purchase an Xbox live arcade game and needed to purchase additional Microsoft Points.  Well, low and behold my debit card's expiration had come and gone way back in June.
 
So, for the past 6 months I've been gaming on Xbox Live without having a valid card.  Not once did Microsoft send me a little note asking me to update my card or anything.  aka, Microsoft rocks.  Apparently, they'll let you continue playing without a hassle when your expiration on your card goes up.  No doubt, they'll figure this out eventually or the user will just update his account on his own like I did.  Regardless, I was pretty impressed. 
 
Long story short, once you update your card with a new expiration date the charges for xbox live kick in but until then you're playing for free.
 
So, if you want to do the same look through your stack of plastic and find one with an upcoming expiration date, use that and then toss it.  You can always purchase xbox live points at the retailer versus buying them online (wish I would have done that instead).
 
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It's $50 for a year subscription--a little over $4 per month--quit being so cheap and dishonest.

[QUOTE=Crevalle]
It's $50 for a year subscription--a little over $4 per month--quit being so cheap and dishonest. [/QUOTE]

 

How the hell is that cheap or dishonest?  I had no clue what was going on, at most I got a month for free in December until I updated the expiration.  Most likely, the renewal is for the standard November that I've been signed up for since Xbox Live went live several years ago.  Bite Me.  I only posted to let others know there might be a way to get the gold subscription for free (or relatively so).

[QUOTE=ActRaiser][QUOTE=Crevalle] It's $50 for a year subscription--a little over $4 per month--quit being so cheap and dishonest. [/QUOTE]
 
How the hell is that cheap or dishonest?  I had no clue what was going on, at most I got a month for free in December until I updated the expiration.  Most likely, the renewal is for the standard November that I've been signed up for since Xbox Live went live several years ago.  Bite Me. [B] I only posted to let others know there might be a way to get the gold subscription for free (or relatively so).[/B]
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No, you posted so that other could cheat Microsoft. Whether you want to admit it or not, you are stealing.

[QUOTE=Crevalle][QUOTE=ActRaiser][QUOTE=Crevalle] It's $50 for a year subscription--a little over $4 per month--quit being so cheap and dishonest. [/QUOTE]
 
How the hell is that cheap or dishonest?  I had no clue what was going on, at most I got a month for free in December until I updated the expiration.  Most likely, the renewal is for the standard November that I've been signed up for since Xbox Live went live several years ago.  Bite Me. [B] I only posted to let others know there might be a way to get the gold subscription for free (or relatively so).[/B]
[/QUOTE]

No, you posted so that other could cheat Microsoft. Whether you want to admit it or not, you are stealing. [/QUOTE]

Oh, poor Microsoft. I'm not condoning stealing, but I don't think ActRaiser's plan is going to be the end of Microsoft. God forbid a couple of posters get 2 months of free Xbox Live.

[QUOTE=a][QUOTE=Crevalle][QUOTE=ActRaiser][QUOTE=Crevalle] It's $50 for a year subscription--a little over $4 per month--quit being so cheap and dishonest. [/QUOTE] �  How the hell is that cheap or dishonest?�  I had no clue what was going on, at most I got a month for free in December until I updated the expiration.� � Most likely, the renewal is for the standard November that I've been signed up for since Xbox Live went live several years ago.�  Bite Me.� [B] I only posted to let others know there might be a way to get the gold subscription for free (or relatively so).[/B] [/QUOTE] No, you posted so that other could cheat Microsoft. Whether you want to admit it or not, you are stealing. [/QUOTE]
Oh, poor Microsoft. I'm not condoning stealing, but I don't think ActRaiser's plan is going to be the end of Microsoft. God forbid a couple of posters get 2 months of free Xbox Live.
[/QUOTE]

Classic rationale of the software pirate. Sad.

[QUOTE=Crevalle]Classic rationale of the software pirate. Sad.[/QUOTE]

Agreed!

I have a valid credit card and it still took Microsoft over a month to bill me for my Xbox Live renewal this year.  I started to think they forgot, but it eventually showed up on my credit card statement.

I have a feeling they'll catch it eventually.