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 Xbox Live is integrated at every level of the Xbox 360. |
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Microsoft wants you to live on Live. Forget about the sometimes online experience with the Xbox -- the 360 is meant to be a fully online, all the time machine, with all of your scores, achievements and ranks continually updated as part of your Xbox Live profile. You can, of course, still choose to have your gaming as a completely offline experience, but you'll be missing out on the best the console can offer. The Live community was (and still is) one of the best things about the original Xbox, and that looks set to improve with the 360.
With the 360, Microsoft is making sure gamers have little excuse to not become part of the Live community by bundling in a free Silver level membership with all consoles. Simply plug in your 360 into your broadband Internet connection and you're part of Xbox Live -- no subscription fee is required. Of course, a Silver membership doesn't get you all the features of Live (you'll have to buy a Gold one for that), but it does give you the ability to voice chat with others online, download any free updates, access the Xbox Live message centre (both text and voice messages), be a spectator of online tournaments and buy downloads from the Xbox Live Marketplace.
If you want to actually play against others online, you'll need to buy a Gold membership (prices are yet to be finalised). Gold level membership gives you all of the features of Silver, as well as giving you the ability to play over the Internet and take part in tournaments. And in an effort to drag in new players, Microsoft has introduced a system they call TrueSkill Matchmaking. This system essentially tracks your skill level at a particular game and automatically matches you to a session with others of a similar level. That means gamers new to Live won't become frag fodder for hardcore players -- not until they're ready to play at ranked levels at any rate.
Live is now also better integrated into the gaming experience. Microsoft says all 360 games will have Live capabilities -- simply press the Xbox Guide button in the middle of the controller during a game and the Live blade will automatically pop up. This blade will allow you access Live functionality such as changing profiles or sending messages to other gamers online. |
 Old school arcade games can be downloaded though the Xbox Live Marketplace. |
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Microsoft is also taking a big step into the brave new world of online gaming commerce with the introduction of the Xbox Live Marketplace. The Marketplace is where all of Live's downloadable content is stored, with some being free and others requiring payment. Microsoft Points will be the currency of Live, with gamers able to buy points (either through the Live Dashboard or offline in stores) that they can exchange for certain downloads. For example, a game demo of Kameo: Elements of Power will be available for free through Marketplace, but downloading the Winter Pack for the game will cost you 200 Microsoft Points.
And in a nod to old school gaming, Marketplace also features an Arcade section where players can buy games for download. Arcade games will cost between 400 and 1200 points, and are mainly puzzle/classic titles. Downloading the 1980s hit Gauntlet, for example, will set gamers back 400 points. Other games include Bankshot Billiards, Robotron 2084, Joust and more. Once you've downloaded these games onto your 360's hard drive, they are there for good -- which will make for a nice change once in a while from all of the next-generation gaming goodness you'll be playing.
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ConnorDavies
16/07/2008, 09:38 AM
rating
9/10
By FAR the BEST gaming device/console ever made.
Pros: - Graphics
- Variety of GOOD games
- VERY, VERY Entertaining
Cons: - Poorly made console - so many stories of consoles breaking down! Its like the 360 has a set (short) LIFE SPAN!
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kadochump
14/07/2008, 01:06 PM
rating
9/10
i have all systems and i like the wii is my favourite. Wii is fun and entertaining with titles such as RE4 and SSBB, Ps3 is my HD experience and X360 is a real gaming machine :)
Pros: DVD, Online play, Games Range (Ninja Gaiden 2, Halo3 GOW, COD4, GTA4, Saints row, HD capabilities
Cons: Not the best HD experience out there.
Red ring of Death
Controllers eat my batteries up.
Power Brick
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mahesh2772
05/06/2008, 01:29 PM
rating
10/10
Its awesome! great companion
Pros: good game play, online gaming is awesome and price is way to low compared to PS3
Cons: nothing really, but looks might have to be improved and a good fan to cool the temprature
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FREAKIN AWESOME REVIEWS
29/05/2008, 10:26 AM
rating
10/10
THIS CONSOLE IS THE BEST I DONT CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS IF YOUR LOOKING FOR GOOD GAMEPLAY AND GREAT ONLINE PLAY WITH OUTSTANDING CONTROLS AND FEATURES XBOX IS THE WAY TO GO!
PS3 IS CRAP ITS ONLY FOR MOVIES AND Wii You GET BORED OF IN A MINUTE
Pros: Freakin EVERYTHING!
Cons: NOTHING ITS UBER PWNAGE
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sputnik
24/05/2008, 09:17 AM
rating
10/10
I love this freaking game, f,ing awesome
Pros: **** better than a gey ps3 and heaps cheaper
Cons: only bad bout it is the paying for xbox lvie when u pay for your computer and your internet already
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Julzz
07/05/2008, 08:03 PM
rating
10/10
faster,cheaper, Better graphics and html Support then Ps3!
Pros: Wireless support
Xbox live.
Better Graphics
xbox updates when you put a new game in
And alot of memory
Cons: Pay for xbox live
it over heats but you can buy a cooler for xbox 360 for 30 dollers AUD!
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Julzz
07/05/2008, 07:56 PM
rating
10/10
faster,cheaper, Better graphics and html Support then Ps3!
Pros: Wireless support
Xbox live.
Better Graphics
xbox updates when you put a new game in
And alot of memory
Cons: Pay for xbox live
it over heats but you can buy a cooler for xbox 360 for 30 dollers AUD!
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Playstation = Rubbish
04/05/2008, 05:14 PM
rating
10/10
Worlds Best console. Power pack worth the saftey.
THE XBOX 360 PONES THE PLAYSTATION 3.
Playstation 3 = Rubbish
Pros: best graphics, Best Internet (XBOX LIVE), Best everything!
Cons: NONE
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Fishie
28/04/2008, 03:00 PM
rating
10/10
OMG XBOX 360 is freakin the freakin best freakin thing eva
Pros: everything
Cons: nothing
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Guni
28/04/2008, 02:58 PM
rating
10/10
This Console Is the best i've ever purchased, My friend has a Ps3 and the online and games are terrible.
Pros: AWESOME GAMES, BRILLIANT ONLINE AND SINGPLAYER GAME.
Cons: None
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