My Xbox Live Gold membership ran out at the same time Microsoft had its disastrous E3 Xbox One unveiling. Understandably, I wasn’t in any rush to renew it, since I’m pretty sure I’ll buy a PS4.
Unfortunately, that also means I can’t enjoy some of the excellent Xbox Live Gold membership options, including online sports games and, more importantly, GTA Online.
Well Microsoft, in a rare showing of generosity, recently announced that it will unlock its Xbox Live Gold service this weekend. From October 4 to October 6, Microsoft is letting second-class Silver Xbox Live users into the premium Gold membership zone.
This promotion is available for 40 countries around the world. If you’re reading this on a computer, then you probably have access to the free trial this weekend. Yes, even you, Australia and New Zealand.
A full list of countries can be found at the Microsoft blog post. A number of large countries aren’t included in the free trial this weekend but will receive the free trial at a future date, including:
-Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico: Between October 11 and October 14, 2013
-Japan: Between November 7 and November 10, 2013
Here are some cool things you can do with your weekend of Xbox Live membership:
-Sign into your Netflix account (Netflix isn’t free with Xbox Live – you still have to pay the normal Netflix membership fee)
-Enjoy Xbox Music
-Skype
-Grand Theft Auto: Online (I know that’s what I’ll be doing)
-Online gaming on all your Xbox games
If you want to keep using Xbox Live Gold after the free trial, it costs $9.99 per month and $59.99 per year. Your Xbox Live membership will also be transferable to the new Xbox One, if you choose to buy it.