Xbox LIVE is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft. It was first made available to the original Xbox video game console. An updated version was available for the Xbox 360 console upon its launch. Parts of the system are available on Windows Vista PCs, with plans to extend to other platforms such as handhelds and mobile phones. Windows Phone 7 Series will reportedly include support for Xbox Live. http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/17/windows-phone-7-series-everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know/ The Xbox Live service is tied the Windows Live ID service. Meaning that your Gamertag needs to be associated to your Windows Live ID which can be a Hotmail, MSN, or other email address.
On March 5, 2010, Microsoft announced that expression of relationship orientation within Xbox Live Gamertags and profiles.http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2010/0305-whittencodeofcoduct.htm As part of this change the Xbox Live Code of Conducthttp://www.xbox.com/en-US/legal/codeOfConduct.htm has changed to show what is now acceptable within Gamertags and profiles. Microsoft worked with the LGBT community to ensure that the new policies are acceptable for all parties and do not exclude any members of either community.
Account Types
- Though Xbox Live allows users to download content, compare game scores and achievements with friends, and even watch television shows and films, the core aspect of it is its ability let gamers play with each other online. Xbox Live serves as an omnipresent gateway for gamers to contact and play with each other. There are two account types: Gold (paid) and Silver (free).
- Players can create friend lists of their friends who also have Xbox Live Gold Membership, invite them to play games, and compete or cooperate with them in any game that supports online play. A Gold account is required to watch Netflix instant streaming through the Xbox and includes the ability to watch movies and TV shows together with friends on Xbox Live.
- Holders of Silver accounts cannot play against others, but they can still download content and compare scores. A Gold account that is not renewed is automatically converted to a Silver account.
Original Xbox Compatibility and Xbox Live
As of April 15, 2010, Xbox Live functionality is no longer supported on the original Xbox console and on games made for the original Xbox console (whether played on the Xbox or Xbox 360. This was announced on February 5, 2010 by Marc Whitten, General Manager of Xbox Live.http://gamerscoreblog.com/press/archive/2010/02/05/gh789.aspx There is hope and hints by Microsoft/Xbox Live employees such as Stephen Tolouse (known as stepto) that this will allow for some more advanced features of Xbox Live to be deployed as it will no longer need to be backward compatible to games made for the original Xbox. This could include longer friends lists, currently limited to 100 friends, and support for clans/groups.
Microsoft Points
Microsoft Points (
) can be used to purchase games, add-ons, videos, and items for your avatar. Microsoft Points were created to encourage users to continue to purchase more content without thinking about how much they are spending. This is mostly due to the strange conversion between Microsoft Points and real currency. 80 Microsoft Points is equivalent to US$1 which makes it hard for someone to think about how much they are spending when the comparable Wii Points are 100 Wii Points for US$1.
Xbox LIVE Help and Support
References
Fast Facts
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Developer
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Debut
November 2002
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Type
Online Service
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Platforms
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Gold Membership Prices
$50 for one year, $20 for 3 months, $8 for one month; Beginning in November 2010 Family Pack (up to 4 accounts): $99.99
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Silver Membership
Free
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First Gamertag
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