As a gamer, I find my Xbox 360 Gold Membership to be invaluable. For roughly $50 a year, I have an incredible list of features available to me, right on my console.
The primary reason for the Gold Membership would be the access to the on-line play. Many games, such as the Call of Duty series, the Halo series, the Left for Dead games, and many others, offer on-line modes. By logging into your Gold Membership, you can play a co-opt game with another player, or, in many games, the on-line option opens an entirely new aspect of the game. The Call of Duty series and the Halo series are excellent examples of this. Through the Gold Membership, you can play shooting games versus other players. You can choose different maps, different types of games, and even play against your friends, if they also have a Gold Membership.
And with customizable settings, you can control who you, or your children, are playing against. This allows you to screen out games, or gamers, that may have adult language involved.
Recently, Microsoft began also offering Gold Members the ability to access their Facebook and Twitter accounts through the console, as well. For those who aren’t often on their computer, but enjoy keeping in touch, it’s very easy to access the social media network of your choice, and respond from the comfort of your couch. This is made even easier with the purchase of a Messenger Kit, which includes a keyboard that attaches to your controller, and a headset.
Another recent offering is last.fm, which is essentially a customizable radio station accessed through your console. It allows you to be your own DJ, and the pictures of the musicians that play along with the music are fun to watch. You can select from already set-up stations, or put together your own.
Another reason to upgrade your membership to the Gold level, is that it allows you access to Netflix streaming videos from your console to your television. A separate Netflix membership is required, but the cost is minimal. If you are already a Netflix member, this allows you to watch the instant movies on your television, with friends and family, instead of huddling around a computer screen, or waiting for the DVD to arrive in the mail. There is also a party option that allows you to watch the movie with other friends who have both the Gold Membership, and a Netflix membership, from your own homes.
Gold members are also offered early, and sometimes exclusive, access to certain downloadable game content, demos and streaming videos.
You can choose to purchase the Gold Membership monthly, every three months, six months, or on a yearly basis. Signing up is easily done, right from the dashboard of your console. You can also purchase gift cards for the gamer in your family that allow them to try out the offered features before subscribing.
Altogether, I think it’s safe to say that the Gold Membership is a low-cost beneficial investment for all but, perhaps, the most casual of gamers.
