Nach langem Hin und Her gab Microsoft nun bekannt, dass der bis dato vorherrschende Xbox Live Gold-Zwang für alle Entertainment-Apps auf der Xbox 360 und der Xbox One aufgehoben werden soll. Neben Sports- und Gaming-Apps, OneDrive, Internet Explorer, etc. sind für uns im deutschsprachigen Raum nun also auch Apps wie “Amazon Instant Video” verfügbar – unabhängig vom aktuellen Gold-Status.
Popular entertainment apps will be available for all Xbox 360 and Xbox One owners. Xbox 360 has been a leader in delivering entertainment experiences for years, with over 170 global entertainment apps and experiences available today. We’re constantly adding new partners and experiences to the growing catalog on Xbox One. Coming in June, anyone with an Xbox will be able to access popular entertainment experiences – whether or not you have an Xbox Live Gold membership. This includes great gaming apps like Machinima, Twitch and Upload, popular video services like Netflix, Univision Deportes, GoPro, Red Bull TV and HBO GO, sports experiences like the NFL app for Xbox One, MLB.TV, NBA Game Time, NHL Game Center and more. Microsoft experiences including Internet Explorer, Skype, OneDrive and OneGuide will also be available to all Xbox customers.
Hinzu kommt die News, dass Microsoft ab Juni allen Xbox Live Gold-Inhabern die Möglichkeit bietet, Ihre restliche Gold-Mitgliedschaft entsprechend der ungenutzten Abonnement-Tage anteilig zurückzuerstatten. Dies kommt natürlich vor allem Käufern der bald verfügbaren Low-Powered Xbox One ohne Kinect sowie nicht-gaming-affinen Anwendern entgegen, die nicht mehr unbedingt auf Xbox Live Gold-Mitgliedschaften angewiesen sind.
Im Folgenden ein Auszug aus der FAQ.
Will I be able to cancel my Gold membership?
Yes. Once the Xbox One and Xbox 360 system updates become available in June, Xbox Live Gold members who purchased a paid membership before that day can cancel and receive a pro-rata refund of any unused remaining days between the date of cancellation and the date their paid Gold membership ends. Cancellation and pro-rata refund requests must be made by August 31, 2014 and require six to eight weeks for processing. Free or trial Gold memberships are not eligible for a refund. To request your pro-rata refund, please click http://support.xbox.com/contact-us after the system updates become available in June.
[…]What new benefits are coming to Xbox Live Gold?
In June, we’re making Xbox Live Gold even better. Games with Gold will be coming to Xbox One, so a single Gold membership will get you free games on both Xbox One and Xbox 360. Plus, we’re introducing Deals with Gold for Xbox One which gives members exclusive discounts on games in the Xbox Store. With the most advanced multiplayer, Games with Gold, and Deals with Gold, Xbox Live Gold is better than ever.
What is included with my Xbox Live Gold membership?
With Xbox Live Gold, you get the most advanced multiplayer gaming, free games, exclusive member discounts and more. Play games like Titanfall™ and Halo with your friends on a network powered by over 300,000 servers for maximum performance. Your membership includes a growing library of free games, and discounts up to 50-75% on games in the Xbox Store. And on Xbox One, it’s even better, with smarter, faster matchmaking and online multiplayer for everyone in your home.
Die vollständige FAQ findet ihr auf der Xbox Support-Seite.
Quelle: Xbox News