Tech Shout!

Five years ago today, Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE service was launched. Yes, it’s been five long years, and in this time, the service has offered an innumerable amount of social entertainment to owners of the Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles. Microsoft has also confirmed that the latest membership figures for the service reach over 8 million members worldwide.

It really is a huge deal for Microsoft. Few know that the Xbox LIVE service has grown from a small community of gamers in just two countries playing a handful of games online with friends, to a worldwide social entertainment network that offers online access not only to gaming, but also music, movies and TV shows.

Now, Xbox LIVE is available in around 26 countries worldwide including India. In fact, India got access to the Xbox LIVE service just this month.

Now to celebrate Xbox LIVE’s fifth anniversary, Microsoft wants to give something back to gamers who have long supported this initiative and stuck through thick and thin. All Xbox LIVE members will now have the chance to download a free Xbox LIVE Arcade game between 12:01 a.m. PST on November 15 and 11:59 p.m. PST on November 16. Additionally, each active member who joined the service in 2002 will also receive 500 free Microsoft points.

And, it doesn’t end here! From December 4 onwards, all Xbox LIVE members will receive a free system update which includes a host of new features and enhancements. Also, a number of Xbox Original hit games such as “Halo,” “Psychonauts,” “Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge” and “Fable” amongst many others will be available for download on Xbox 360 consoles.

Of course, you will have to pay a price for these games, but at just 1,200 Microsoft Points per game and no need for a disc, this seems to be a good offer from Microsoft’s side. This will allow Xbox LIVE and Xbox 360 owners in particular to enjoy hit games that they missed the first time around.

According to John Schappert, corporate vice president of LIVE, software and services at Microsoft, “In just five short years, Xbox LIVE has revolutionized the way friends and family have fun in the living room. On its fifth birthday, Xbox LIVE truly is the place for hanging out with friends and enjoying downloadable TV shows, movies, videos, game add-ons and now downloadable Xbox games on demand.”