XBLA 5 Years - Microsoft Offers Free Game to All Subscribers

An official report today says that Microsoft Corp. will be celebrating the fifth anniversary of Xbox LIVE, mentioning that the latest membership figures show more than 8 million members are now actively engaged in Xbox LIVE. Thus, every member of any status will be able to download a free XBLA game this month. Read on to find out more.

"...as a gesture of thanks to the community, all eight-million members will have the opportunity to download a free Xbox LIVE Arcade game, between 08:01 a.m. on 15th November 15 and 7:59 a.m. on 17th November," the same report goes. Additionally, every (active) Gold member who joined the service at launch will receive a bonus of 500 MS Points. Yes, 500 free MS Points now stop jumping around and read on, 'cause there's more.

As every Xbox 360 owner already knows, starting December 2nd (although the report says December 4th), Xbox LIVE members will receive an update hosting a bunch of new features and enhancements, among which the launch of the "Xbox Originals," marking the time consumers will be able to download and full Xbox (one) original titles such as Halo: Combat Evolved and Fable. Microsoft has confirmed that Xbox titles go for 1200 MS Pts. Each, with no disc being necessary

Below is the launch line-up of Xbox original games to be made available once the update is out, but "Xbox 360 owners can expect to see a growing catalogue of Xbox games for download to own over the coming year," the same report mentions:

Halo: Combat Evolved
Fable
Crimsons Skies: High Road to Revenge
Burnout 3
Indigo Prophecy or Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

"In just five short years Xbox LIVE has revolutionised the way friends and family have fun in the living room across the world," said Mike Newey, EMEA Group Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division. "Xbox LIVE truly is the place for hanging out with friends and now they can enjoy full downloadable Xbox games on demand."

Remember: all Xbox LIVE subscribers will be able to download a free Xbox LIVE Arcade game, between November 15th 08:01 a.m. and November 17th 7:59 a.m.