Microsoft is slipping Xbox Live subscribers a little surprise Christmas present. At 3 p.m. PT, Microsoft will unveil the Xbox Live Diamond Card. The card gives Xbox Live paid subscribers exclusive benefits and discounts from stores, restaurants and retailers. The card is personalized with your Gamertag and is, wait for it, absofrigginlutely free to all paid Xbox Live subscribers who have subscribed or pre-paid for at least a one year account on the 360 or Xbox Old Skool.

Some of the retailers participating include Ticketmaster, Cambridge Soundworks, Timberland and McDonald’s.

Hit the link for the full list of details:

· Your own card: Did you sign up for a digital gamer card on Xbox.com? Of course you did. Now, how about a real, live, flash-it-to-your-friends card personalized with your gamertag? Ask no more! The Xbox Live Diamond Card is here.

· That’s not all: The card does much more. Xbox Live has partnered with your favorite stores, restaurants, and other retailers across the country for discounts and promotions exclusively for Xbox Live Diamond Card program members.*

· It gets even better: Xbox Live isn’t going to sit still, either. We’ll continue to bring you new partners and more opportunities to use your Diamond Card.

· The best part: The Xbox Live Diamond Card is free! It’s our big thank you to our most loyal Xbox Live subscribers.

Man, I feel for all of those people who have Gamertags like SexMachine or t3ab4gger.

Microsoft is saying thank you to Xbox Live users with the Xbox Live Diamond Card. This cute piece of plastic wil apparently net you discounts in participating stores and restaurants such as McDonalds, Ticketmaster, and Timberland. It’s 100% free to those Xbox Live users who have already prepaid for one year of service. The card comes with your gamertag on it, too, so you now can proudly display that you are indeed the real N4K3DK1LLA. Maybe if some game stores would start partnering with this Diamond Card, you could get your discount applied to Halo 3, which is coming out in 2006. But that doesn’t stop some retailers from displaying Halo 3 banners already. Move along folks, nothing to see here.

If you're an xbox Live subscriber, you automatically qualify for a new promotional card Micrsoft is calling Xbox Live Diamond. By entering your gamertag, you get a nifty piece of plastic personalized with your tag which you can flash to your friends, presumably to impress them. The card is free to anyone who has a subscription to Xbox Live.

Microsoft is also lining up cross-promotional opportunities with a variety of retailers, including McDonald's, Ticketmaster, Hollywood Video, Sam Goody, and more - at participating locations only, of course. Each retailer will run its own promotion or discount for cardholders.

So far the offer is available only in the United States. Microsoft says they will be continually expanding their retailer offerings in the future.

Congratulations!
Welcome to the Growing Diamond Community

Thank you for registering for your personalized Diamond Card. You will receive your card in the mail in 6-8 weeks, once we have verified that you meet the terms and conditions of the program. At that time, return to the Diamond Card website to find out about all the latest deals and discounts you can take advantage of with your card.