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This gives gamers a new means of competing with each other through the accumulation of Gamerscore, even without playing directly against each other.
Simply completing in game tasks, accumulating wins in online matches and performing extraordinary feats within a game will net the player points to increase their Gamerscore.
While Gamerscore points cannot be used to redeem goods or services from Xbox Live, it hasn't stopped shadier gamers from using hacks to accumulate amounts of Gamerscore significantly larger than their competition and peers.
What is Gamerscore, and What Does It Do? Gamers can keep track of achievements through a system that measures the number of points with an Xbox Live profile.
These points are called Gamerscore, and are measured in G's.
These points are awarded for things such as level completion, performing extraordinary feats, completing game objectives or by defeating other players in online matches.
Xbox 360 games offered up to 1,000G for full titles, with downloadable Xbox Live Arcade Games offering up to 250G.
Microsoft enforces policies which determine standardized amounts of Gamerscore a player is able to accumulate in a given game.
Full featured disc based games must have 1,000 Gamerscore points in the game itself, with up to 250 more Gamerscore points possible every quarter with expansion packs or downloadable content.
Free or paid games available on the Xbox Live Arcade can include up to 200 Gamerscore points, with 50 more made available in downloadable content.
Gamerscore made its debut on Windows based gaming machines in 2007 with Halo 2.
The Games for Windows program works in a similar way to Xbox Live on the Xbox 360, in that achievements with corresponding Gamerscore point gains can be accumulated by the player.
The Gamerscore system has created for itself a niche on the web alongside cheat codes and online FAQ's and guides.
Various websites completely dedicated to providing tips and tricks to earning Gamerscore points exist, while established cheat code and FAQ sites offer separate areas of their websites for Gamerscore tips and tricks.
Gamerscore had proved such a success that people who wanted to accumulate Gamerscore points through illegal means started to appear.
In 2008, a network wide campaign to crack down on these cheaters was implemented.
Players found guilty of accumulating Gamerscore points through illegal or otherwise unsavory means had their Gamerscore reduced to zero, and were not allowed to regain any more Gamerscore points throughout the lifetime of their Xbox Live account.
A "Cheater" label was also stamped on their Gamertag so that gamers would take heed of the player whenever he or she joined multiplayer matches.
Microsoft Points The currency used within the Xbox Live Marketplace or Games for Windows Live Marketplace, are called Microsoft Points.
These Microsoft Points also extend to the Windows Live Gallery and Zune online stores.
This points system allows users to purchase extra game content or other downloadable products available within the online marketplace without the use of a credit card.
While some downloads such as full versions of games and downloadable content cost Microsoft Points, some games available on the Xbox Live Marketplace are free.
Microsoft Points are available in the form of prepaid cards, and are sold at retail and convenience stores.
Microsoft Points cards contain a code used to redeem various yet fixed denominations of Microsoft Points depending on the price paid and country or region the player resides in.
These cards can only be used only once and may expire if not used after a fixed amount of time.
Microsoft Points cards are only redeemable in the region they are sold in.
Microsoft Points are used to purchase games, game expansions, Gamertag customization options, and other downloadable content.
Users may also be able to purchase videos and television episodes from the Marketplace, and are usable throughout other services with use Microsoft points such as the Zune marketplace, where one may be able to download music and videos.
Xbox Live Memberships There are two levels of membership offered for the Xbox Live service: Gold and Silver.
These different accounts offer Xbox 360 users access to different features at different price levels depending on the kind of membership.
The free Silver membership allows basic online functionality possible, from creating a unique gamer ID and profile on the Xbox Live network.
You are also able to create and maintain a list of friends and buddies you meet online.
You are also given access to the Xbox Live Marketplace to be able to download demos, games, and customization options for your Gamertag.
This Silver membership does not, however, provide for online fees for some games requiring such.
Gold membership includes all the perks of Silver membership and provides the user the ability to play online with other Xbox Live Gold members.
Gold members are also given access to exclusive Xbox Live Marketplace Content.
However, Gold membership comes at prices ranging from £8.
99 for a month's membership with up to £39.
99 for a year, but discounts and opportunities can be found on different third party websites.
Xbox Live Gold Membership can be bought with a credit card or through subscription cards or Microsoft Points available from retailers or convenience stores.
Subscription and Microsoft Points cards contain redeemable codes which the user inputs in his or her Xbox Live screens.
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