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Xbox LIVE! Revealed |
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 Xbox Live is Microsoft's online plan for the Xbox video game console. Well to start off, this is GAMING only. Do not expect a browser disc for web access because Xbox LIVE! is ONLY for gaming. Using Xbox Live, players are able to compete with other players from around the world, post high scores and rankings, talk to friends via the voice communicator, and even download content for games such as MechAssault, Unreal Championship and Splinter Cell to the Xbox hard drive.
Xbox Live is a broadband only service, which excludes dial-up users. The exact requirements are 300kb/s download nd 200kb/s upload speed. While this excludes some people who use dial-up internet, it provides a lag free online experience for broadband users, and to be honest, online games are pretty much unplayable on dial-up anyway. Xbox Live is unique in that it is the only online plan to include voice communication as standard. This is available on other online console games, such as SOCOM: US Navy SEALs for the Playstation 2, but unlike the PS2, it can be used for any game on Xbox Live, which makes it much more worthwhile. This voice communication is particularly useful in team games. Some people may argue that PC games feature voice communications, but only around 1% of online PC gamers make use of this feature. Xbox LIVE! is totally different. Imagine playing on your big screen instead of that 19" monitor and being able to talk to your buddies and telling someone they suck.
Well moving on, Xbox Live requires a credit card, and a broadband connection close to your Xbox. Xbox Live starter kits are currently retailing for $50 in the U.S.A. and £40 in the U.K., which includes the headset, Xbox Live, and a free year. Soon this will go up to $70 including the headset, and either $50 a year or $5.99 a month subscription (This works out at around $0.13 per day, which is incredibly good value). Some people consider this expensive, but you must remember that it is the best available online experience, it single handedly blows away Sony's plans while Nintendo hasn't really even talked about this much. Also, remember that many games, such as Phantasy Star Online, charge more than this.
There are currently many Xbox Live compatible games, like Ghost Recon, Unreal Championship, Mechassault, Return to Castle Wolfenstein and more are coming. Loads more Xbox Live compatible games are planned, such as Soldier of Fortune 2: Double Helix, Operation Flashpoint, Sega GT Online, Midnight Club 2, Halo 2, Project Gotham Racing 2, Far Cry, Perfect Dark Zero and Quake IV. Xbox LIVE! is simply the future of online gaming.
Article By: Hasan Sadiki
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