oops double post. D:
If I remember correctly online play itself was always free but matchmaking and cross-platform play required gold.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/2007/jul07/07-11gamesforwindows.aspx
This isn't true. They tried requiring Gold with the first Gears of War on PC I believe it was and it absolutely failed.
If I remember correctly online play itself was always free but matchmaking and cross-platform play required gold.
This is a misconception we’re working hard to correct. There is no charge for Games for Windows – LIVE membership, and it offers a multiplayer experience PC gamers expect while introducing completely new functionality to online gaming on Windows. A no-charge Silver membership offers PC to PC multiplayer play, in-game voice chat, cross-game chat, single-player achievements and a unique identity across multiple games.
We do offer a paid Gold subscription that adds features you can’t find on other services, like cross-platform with the Xbox 360, enhanced matchmaking to find gamers of the same skill or rank and the ability to earn multiplayer achievements. Anyone who already has a Gold membership on Xbox LIVE automatically has a Gold membership on Games for Windows – LIVE with their same gamertag. It’s the same network. And for gamers who aren’t Gold already, the subscription is about US$4 a month – and works on both Xbox 360 and Games for Windows- LIVE compatible games.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/2007/jul07/07-11gamesforwindows.aspx