Microsoft makes Xbox Live Gold free for the weekend

Microsoft said Tuesday that it will unlock its Xbox Live Gold service this weekend for most regions of the world, hoping gamers will get hooked again.

SpecifIcally, the service will be available for free from Oct. 4 through 6, Microsoft said in a blog post. Normally, Xbox Live Gold costs $9.99 per month or $59.99 annually.

While the offer isn’t available to the entire world, most of them are. The available regions include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.

If you live in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, don’t worry: the free Xbox Live Gold offer will be made available between Oct. 11 and Oct. 14, and Japanese gamers will receive the offer on Nov. 7 through Nov. 10.

While Microsoft didn’t specifically call out the offer as one for existing members, that’s the implication. Microsoft also offers a free 30-day trial option for new Xbox 360 purchasers. That option is only available to new members, however, and can’t be associated with an existing gamertag. The free weekend, however, can be.

:story: PCWorld