Currently, Microsoft’s Games with Gold promotion is only set to run through the rest of this year.  However, according to Major Nelson, that is subject to change depending on audience reaction.  Given that people like free things, even when there might be some disappointment there, I’m sure it will be a resounding success throughout the gaming community.

Microsoft first announced its Games with Gold promotion at this year’s E3 by promising gamers with an Xbox Live Gold subscription two free games every month throughout the remainder of the year.  The first two games to be announced were Assassin’s Creed II and Halo 3.  There was some expressions of disappointment with the two free games, given that they’re already several years old and most anybody that wants to play them already has them (and, c’mon, pretty much everybody has a copy of Halo 3 by now), but they’re free.

The major benefit of this promotion, besides the two free games thing, is that the games will be yours to keep.  Unlike Sony’s free games for PSN+ subscribers, games made available for free on Games with Gold will not expire even if you cancel your Gold subscription.  While I’d certainly like to see something newer than what Microsoft has shown so far (or at least something I haven’t played yet), I’m not going to complain about free games–even if I already own those games, it doesn’t hurt to have a digital copy… especially if it’s free.

Defense Grid is the first free Game with Gold and will remain free through July 15.

Source:  VG247