According to [link|http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/cn/20011212/tc/gamers_shut_out_by_passport_switch_1.html|this Yahoo news article], people playing games on Microsoft's gaming network (Asheron's Call, and whatever other games they have) are now required to sign up for a Passport account. Needless to say, regardless of your attitude toward Passport, just the fact of having to sign up is causing major problems to people trying to play their games. I had an Asheron's Call account for a while, but this goofy strategy spikes that game for me.

The Microsoft Passport camel has a lot more than its nose into the tent now...

You don't play Asheron's Call for free. It's a monthly charge.