Microsoft has renamed its Xbox LIVE Silver Membership to "Free Membership" to clarify pricing before it raises subscription rates on Nov. 1.

n what may be the smallest story of the week, Microsoft has renamed its Xbox Live Silver Membership, which will now be called Xbox Live Free Membership, tweets Graeme Boyd, Xbox Community Manager of Europe. The changes come as part of the company’s overhaul of the Xbox.com site.

The Silver Membership was already Microsoft’s free Xbox Live account and nothing about it will change except the name. The new Xbox  website already features the updated lingo, but the actual Xbox 360 console dashboard will not reflect the new wording until it is updated sometime this fall, reports JPS.

By using the word “Free,” Microsoft hopes to encourage more account activations and lessen confusion about Live’s availability. Unlike the Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3, a paid subscription is required to fully utilize the Xbox 360’s online features. Microsoft is likely trying to pre-counter a potential backlash when it raises the subscription price on Nov. 1.

Boyd and the Xbox team ask that you to send feedback if you experience any bugs or odd behavior with the updated website.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/xbox-live-silver-membership-is-now-free/

I gotta say, MS is now asking for the criticism. The fanboys are jump all over this shit.

I thought they went fully free then.

I almost, ALMOST wet my pants.

I was originally just going to write "Xbox LIVE Free".

honestly, i like "silver" better, but i guess it will make certain people act like douches less, since they cant pretend it isnt free.

I kind of like them calling it free. I have had problems before explaining the difference to people