Microsoft KB Archive/937425

= Description of Silver and Gold memberships for Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows LIVE =

Article ID: 937425

Article Last Modified on 11/13/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Games for Windows - LIVE
 * Microsoft Gears of War (PC)
 * Microsoft Shadowrun (PC)
 * Microsoft Viva Pinata (PC)
 * Microsoft XBox 360 Video Game System
 * Microsoft Xbox

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SUMMARY
This article describes the Gold memberships and Silver memberships for Xbox LIVE and for Games for Windows LIVE. It also explains the differences between them.



MORE INFORMATION
A membership for Xbox LIVE is also a membership for Games for Windows LIVE.

Two tiers of membership are available for Xbox LIVE on Xbox 360. The Xbox LIVE Silver membership is a free membership. Through the Silver membership, all Xbox 360 customers and all Games for Windows LIVE members have access to some aspects of the Xbox LIVE service and of the Games for Windows LIVE service.

The Xbox LIVE Gold membership is a paid service that gives customers unlimited access to multiplayer online game-play. The Gold membership resembles the original Xbox LIVE paid service.

The Xbox LIVE Silver membership includes access to the following features:  Use of gamertags A full friends list Family settings and parental controls Voice chat Messages center and the ability to receive different kinds of messages, such as text, voice, video, &quot;invites,&quot; and alerts Ability to send text-based messages, voice messages, and &quot;friends&quot; requests Marketplace and all downloadable content in Xbox LIVE Marketplace

Note This feature is currently not available in Games for Windows LIVE games.

</li> Ability to track all gamer profile stats and data online and offline through the console</li> Ability to customize and view your own profile</li> Ability to compare stats with other Xbox LIVE subscribers regardless of membership tier by using the Xbox 360 console

Note This feature is currently not available in Games for Windows LIVE games.

</li> Limited access to profiles and stats through the Xbox.com Web site</li> All metadata services, such as the Compact Disc Database (CDDB) and All Music Guide (AMG) databases</li> Access to special game-play promotions, such as 48-hour weekends</li> Play in massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG)

Note This feature requires a separate paid subscription.

</li></ul>

The Xbox LIVE Gold membership also includes the following features: <ul> All Silver membership features that are listed earlier in this article</li> Online multiplayer gaming</li> Online multiplayer gaming with video chat, when the game supports this feature</li> Online multiplayer gaming of backward-compatible approved games</li> All matchmaking and feedback functionality</li> All video camera features, such as video chat and video messaging, when the game supports this feature</li> Full friends list management through the Xbox console and through a computer at Xbox.com.

Note This includes management of all stats and achievements.

</li></ul>

For more information about how to create a membership, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

937066 How to create a Games for Windows LIVE account

Additional query words: Live Live levels premium paid Xb360 xbLive xbAccounts xbSubscriptions xbMigration

Keywords: kbinfo kbpubtypekc kbxboxlivefeatures kbxbox360pacrimportal kbxbox360americasportal kbxbox360europeportal kbxbox360ext kbgamesforwindowslive KB937425

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