Halo 3 has become the latest free game in Microsoft’s Games with Gold program. The program has been giving 2 free games a month to members of Xbox Live with a Gold membership, on the 1st and 16th of every month. A full overview of the terms and conditions of Games with Gold can be found here.
Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes was the game available for free from the 1st of October until yesterday, which was an XBL arcade game. Halo 3, which is available until the end of the month, is of course a full retail game. Albeit one that is over 6 years old. Halo 3 has received a host of accolades, and this is not the first time it has been offered for free. Gamers who bought Halo ODST received the the Halo 3: Mythic disc free, which contained Forge, Theater and all of Halo 3’s multiplayer maps.
As a result, Microsoft’s decision to make Halo 3 free probably won’t sit very well with fans. A large number of gamers will already own a copy of Halo 3 in some format, or can obtain one for a few dollars/pounds if not. The Games with Gold program has already received heavy criticism for not giving away games that are deemed good enough, or new enough, by the gaming community. Especially when compared to Sony’s long-running PlayStation Plus service.
What do you think of Games with Gold? Leave a comment with your opinion.
