Microsoft Gives DLC Early Adopters One Week Free Service

By Ryan Fleming April 5, 2010

Less than one week ago, thousands of eager-eyed Xbox Live users rushed online to shell out the $15 for the new Modern Warfare 2 “Stimulus Package” DLC, only to discover connectivity issues, problems with the matchmaking, and repeated dropped games. It was soon apparent that there were technical issues across the board, and patience- not a virtue typically associated with online first person shooter gamers- would be needed.

Xbox Live spokesperson Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb quickly confirmed that, “Matchmaking is in a bad state on Xbox Live right now. We’re working on it and will resolve it as quickly as we can.” Within hours a new update was released, and connectivity saw an immediate improvement. According to the Xbox Live operations blog, the issue was simply a matter of releasing the necessary- and planned- title update after the DLC, instead of before.

One week on, Microsoft has announced that it will be issuing seven days of free Xbox Live to existing Gold account members that purchased the DLC on day-one. But not as an apology. Hryb confirmed to IGN that the offer was to thank buyers for their loyalty to Xbox Live.

Despite the obvious lack of any mention regarding the connectivity issues, the refund is a nice gesture, although it equates to roughly $1.86 in savings for purchasers of the $15 DLC.

Account holders will be notified via their Xbox Live profiles that they are eligible for the free week. The credit will reach accounts during the May 1st billing cycle.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ryan Fleming is the Gaming and Cinema Editor for Digital Trends. He joined the DT staff in 2009 after spending time covering…

Gaming

Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed remakes are in the works

Basim perched on a ledge overlooking Baghdad

In a company interview with CEO Yves Guillemot posted on the Ubisoft website Thursday, the executive reveals that there are remakes of Assassin's Creed games in the works, although he doesn't specify which ones.

"Players can be excited about some remakes, which will allow us to revisit some of the games we've created in the past and modernize them," he says, implying that it could pertain to games made before Odyssey. "There are worlds in some of our older Assassin's Creed games that are still extremely rich."

Gaming

Surfaced patent shows what an Xbox streaming console would’ve looked like

An Xbox Series X sits next to both Series S models.

There have been a few Xbox devices that have never come to fruition, one of which was Keystone, a prototype for an affordable game streaming device you could hook up to your TV or monitor. Thanks to a surfaced patent, we've gotten an even closer look at what it would've potentially looked like.

The patent, first spotted by Windows Central, gives us a more complete view of the device. We've previously seen the Keystone in the flesh. Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer is known for hiding teases and interesting collectibles on the shelf in his office. In a 2022 X (formerly Twitter) post congratulating Bethesda on Fallout's 25th anniversary, you can see a small white device on the top shelf that's actually a Keystone prototype. Xbox told Digital Trends that it was a version of the device made before it decided to "refocus our efforts on a new approach.”

Gaming

Wordle Today: Wordle answer and hints for June 28

Someone playing Wordle on a smartphone.

We have the solution to Wordle on June 28, as well as some helpful hints to help you figure out the answer yourself, right here. We've placed the answer at the bottom of the page, so we don't ruin the surprise before you've had a chance to work through the clues. So let's dive in, starting with a reminder of yesterday's answer.
Yesterday's Wordle answer
Let's start by first reminding ourselves of yesterday's Wordle answer for those new to the game or who don't play it daily, which was "ORDER." So we can say that the Wordle answer today definitely isn't that. Now, with that in mind, perhaps take another stab at it using one of these Wordle starting words and circle back if you have no luck.
Hints for today's Wordle
Still can't figure it out? We have today's Wordle answer right here, below. But first, one more thing: Let's take a look at three hints that could help you find the solution, without giving it away, so there's no need to feel guilty about keeping your streak alive -- you put in some work, after all! Or just keep scrolling for the answer.

Today’s Wordle includes the letter D.
Today’s Wordle uses two vowels.
Today's Wordle can refer to a large number of animals, particularly livestock like cattle or sheep, that are moving together in a group.