Online With Xbox 360

Xbox Live is undoubtedly the finest online gaming service ever created. It’s easy to set up, even easier now that it is installed as standard with Xbox 360, and the interface is terrifically user friendly.

For Xbox 360 Microsoft is offering two levels of service for Xbox Live: ‘Silver’, for the standard set up, and ‘Gold’ for what Microsoft considers premium content.

Xbox Live Silver is available to anyone with an Xbox 360 hooked up to a broadband connection. First of all Silver allows you to create a Gamer Profile, which is similar to something you might have created in one of the many Instant Messenger services online. Whenever someone challenges you to a game, or wants to be added to your list of friends, you can check this out to help decide.

At the centre of your profile is a Gamer Card, a mini gaming CV that features first and foremost your gamertag (universal Xbox Live nickname). On top of that the Gamer Card contains your Gamerscore – a ranking based on overall Achievements in all Xbox games. All Xbox 360 games record your achievements on or offline, based on skill and/or accomplishment. Your Reputation is also included, based on feedback from other players – similar to eBay reliability ratings. Finally you can establish a Gamerzone, indicating your personal preferences when it comes to gaming. You can establish whether you’re ‘R&R’ (rock n’ roll?) player, who’s happy just to play and have a bit of fun, or a ‘Pro’ who enjoys serious competition and every game counts. There is also a ‘Family’ Gamerzone, to bear in mind that children might be present.

By using this profile, Xbox Live can search for more suitable match-ups – next time you search for competitors online, you’re more likely to share a similar skill level and taste in games thanks to your Reputation, Gamerscore, and Gamerzone being taken into consideration. You’re encouraged to give feedback on players you enjoy competing with or against because this will mean you’re more likely to be ‘intelligently’ matched with them again.

Everyone accessing Xbox Live via Xbox 360 can participate in the Xbox Live Marketplace. This is where trailers for new games, playable demos, and new content for games you already own (additional episodes, maps, weapons and so on).

If you just fancy chatting, Live for Xbox 360 allows you to do so whenever and wherever – you no longer need to be playing the same game. In fact, you don’t need to be playing a game at all; one friend could be watching a film, another listening to music while you’re practicing your swing in Tiger Woods’. If you prefer, you can choose to voice chat with a single friend too. Although Silver users can’t create and send video messages, these can be received from Gold users.

Finally, parents will have greater control over who it is their children play with online, and the types of games they are allowed to play online. Or even, if necessary, prevent online play altogether.

Gold membership gets you all of the features mentioned, plus premium content – therefore it must be paid for. A monthly subscription fee is likely to be in line with existing Xbox Live accounts. Gold users can play online games, take part in organised tournaments, and participate in special online events such as Game With Fame (versus celebrities), and a whole range of special ‘Prime Time’ activities. If Gold users feel like chilling out, they can video chat the night away.

Nothing comes close to matching Xbox Live for online gaming, and now much more besides. Microsoft calls it a ‘unified online console gaming service.’

Next: Technical Specifications