Amazon, Best Buy discount 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold membership

New Xbox owners or perhaps those of you looking to renew your Xbox LIVE Gold membership can now do so at a steep discount. Both Best Buy and Amazon are offering $20-off the normally $59.99 yearly membership, meaning you can get a full 12-months worth of Xbox LIVE Gold for just $39.99.

It's unclear how long these sales will last — maybe through the weekend — but there's really no sense in waiting. If you want to become a Gold member and have access to all of the Xbox entertainment apps and online play, then this is a pretty good deal.

Remember, being an Xbox LIVE Gold member now means you'll get two free Xbox 360 games per month thanks to Games with Gold. Eventually you'll be treated to free Xbox One games on a monthly basis as well, though Microsoft has yet to announce official details regarding its new system.