From In-Portal Developers Guide

Xbox Live Membership and Microsoft Points

A favorite advert that showed a kid saying "The great advantage of the 360 isn't beating the games, it's showing everyone online that I did" explains the very idea of the Xbox 360's Gamerscore feature. This gives gamers a whole new way of competing with each other over the accumulation of Gamerscore, even without playing directly against the other person.

Simply completing in game tasks, accumulating wins in online matches and performing extraordinary feats in just a game will net the ball player suggests improve their Gamerscore. While Gamerscore points cannot be used to redeem services or goods from Xbox Live, it hasn't stopped shadier gamers by using hacks to amass numbers of Gamerscore significantly bigger than their competition and peers.

What's Gamerscore, along with what Can it Do?

Gamers are able to keep tabs on achievements by way of a system that measures the number of points having an Xbox Live profile. These points are classified as Gamerscore, and are measured in G's. These points are awarded for things like level completion, performing extraordinary feats, completing game objectives or by defeating other players in online matches.

Xbox 360 system games offered approximately 1,000G for full titles, with downloadable Xbox Live Arcade Games offering approximately 250G. Microsoft enforces policies which determine standardized numbers of Gamerscore a new player will be able to accumulate in the given game. Full featured disc based games will need to have 1,000 Gamerscore points amongst people itself, with up to 250 more Gamerscore points possible every quarter with expansion packs or downloadable content. Free or paid games on the Xbox Live Arcade can include around 200 Gamerscore points, with 50 more provided in downloadable content.

Gamerscore made its debut on Windows based gaming machines in 2007 with Halo 2. The Games for Windows program works in the same way to Xbox Continue to exist the Xbox, in this achievements with corresponding Gamerscore point gains might be accumulated through the player.

The Gamerscore system has generated for itself a niche online alongside cheat codes and internet based FAQ's and guides. Various websites completely committed to providing how-to's to earning Gamerscore points exist, while established cheat code and FAQ sites offer separate parts of their websites for Gamerscore tips and tricks.

Gamerscore had proved such a success that individuals who wished to accumulate Gamerscore points through illegal means begun to appear. In 2008, a network wide campaign to hack documented on these cheaters was implemented. Players in prison for accumulating Gamerscore points through illegal or else unsavory means had their Gamerscore reduced to zero, and are not permitted to regain any further Gamerscore points throughout the duration of their Xbox Live account. A "Cheater" label seemed to be stamped on his or her Gamertag in order that gamers would take heed in the player whenever she or he joined multiplayer matches. Microsoft Points

The currency used inside the Xbox Live Marketplace or Games for Windows Live Marketplace, are classified as Microsoft Points. These Microsoft Points also extend for the Windows Live Gallery and Zune websites. This points system allows users to acquire extra game content and other downloadable products available within the online marketplace without the use of a card. While many downloads such as full versions of games and downloadable content cost Microsoft Points, some games available on the Xbox Live Marketplace have the freedom.

Microsoft Points can be purchased in the form of prepaid cards, and they are sold at retail and convenience stores. Microsoft Points cards contain a code accustomed to redeem various yet fixed denominations of Microsoft Points with regards to the price paid and country or region the ball player resides in. Prepaid cards are only able to be utilized only once or twice and could expire or else used after a fixed length of time. Microsoft Points cards are only redeemable in your neighborhood they are purchased from.

Microsoft Points are widely-used to purchase games, game expansions, Gamertag customization options, and also other downloadable content. Users can be in a position to purchase videos and tv episodes from the Marketplace, and so are usable throughout other services with use Microsoft points for example the Zune marketplace, where one may have the ability to download music and videos.

Xbox Live Memberships

There's 2 levels of membership offered for that Xbox Live service: Gold and silver coins. These different accounts offer Xbox 360 system users entry to cool features at different prices with regards to the kind of membership.

The disposable Silver membership allows basic online functionality possible, from creating a unique gamer ID and profile around the Xbox Live network. You're also capable of create and look after a directory of friends and buddies you meet online. You happen to be also given accessibility Xbox Live Marketplace as a way to download demos, games, and customization options for your Gamertag. This Silver membership won't, however, provide for online fees for a lot of games requiring such.

Gold membership includes each of the perks of Silver membership and offers the user to be able to play online to Xbox Live Gold members. Gold members may also be given usage of exclusive Xbox Live Marketplace Content. However, Gold membership comes at prices ranging from ?8.99 for a month's membership with as much as ?39.99 for a year, but discounts and opportunities is available on different third party websites.

Xbox Live Gold Membership can be obtained using a charge card or through subscription cards or free xbox live codes available from retailers or supermarkets. Subscription and Microsoft Points cards contain redeemable codes that this user inputs in his or her Xbox Live screens.