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geeky · 07-12-2003, 12:18 AM

It seems that people have this Xbox Live! subscription thing kinda confused. Just to get it straight, it goes like this..

--As of this post, a 1yr subscription is $49.99. to play all Live enabled games
note: very few games will have an additional fee like Phantasy Star Online for something like $10/mo, True Fantasy Online, and Star Wars Galaxies. Most dont, though.

Sometime later the subscription costs will change to this...
--Starter Kit = $69.99 (for the first year).
--Year renewal = $49.99.
--Monthly = $5.99.
--Live Voice Communicator Headset (a la mode, ie: no Live subscription) $29.99

As you probably figured out by now, I have an Xbox and a Live account.
In my opinion, the Xbox is a great system. I dont ever regret owning one. I think it also says something when my girlfriend becomes addicted to a game (Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee) and finishes it... Then becomes inspired to play the previous games.

Live isnt a shabby product in the slightest bit. The headset actually sounds really good (and trust me, I know a little about voice technology. Ask hal.). Virtually no lag unless there is a valid reason for lag (ie: downloading assloads of pr0n while on Live).
The ability to have a form of a "friends" list is awesome. See whos online, what they are playing, and invite or be invited to a game. To add to that, some games also have downloadable content to extend the life of your game. New maps, weapons, missions, etc, with scheduled releases. I say thats pretty neat.
From what I hear there will also be a feature that will give the ability to voice chat with them while they are in a seperate game as well as a IM system that can be accessed via PC and possibly even a cellphone.

The Live network isnt a simple option. To me, Live has multiplied the value of my xbox tenfold. If you ever take the time to view http://www.xbox.com/community/ you can see that Xbox has something good going on. I think they are recognizing that the online community is a very loyal bunch and are trying to strengthen their product with this dedicated following. To enforce this, tourneys are held (with prizes), fan art competitions, and other crap going on as we speak. Soon XSN will launch.
XSN is a sports gamer's wet dream. With XSN, you can create virtual leagues. It will keep track of your rank, stats, and standings on the league. Arrange a schedule of games and get email or cellphone alerts for news on your league/tourney or reminders that you have a game coming up if you like. XSN comes free with any XSN enabled game to anyone who has a Live account.
There are 6 XSN titles announced:
NFL Fever 2004 (August)
NBA Inside Drive 2004
Top Spin
Amped 2
NHL Rivals 2004
Links 2004
More info here http://www.xbox.com/e3-03/games/preview-xsnsports.htm and here http://www.XSNsports.com if youre interested.

Sure I love my xbox, but I also love my PC. I would also love a GC and PS2 if I had one but all for very different reasons. They all have very strong titles and they also have a grip of crap. So what. Debating on what is best is like debating on what the best marshmallow is in a box of Lucky Charms.
Shutting up now.

07-12-2003, 12:18 AM	#47 (permalink)
geeky Upright	It seems that people have this Xbox Live! subscription thing kinda confused. Just to get it straight, it goes like this.. --As of this post, a 1yr subscription is $49.99. to play all Live enabled games note: very few games will have an additional fee like Phantasy Star Online for something like $10/mo, True Fantasy Online, and Star Wars Galaxies. Most dont, though. Sometime later the subscription costs will change to this... --Starter Kit = $69.99 (for the first year). --Year renewal = $49.99. --Monthly = $5.99. --Live Voice Communicator Headset (a la mode, ie: no Live subscription) $29.99 As you probably figured out by now, I have an Xbox and a Live account. In my opinion, the Xbox is a great system. I dont ever regret owning one. I think it also says something when my girlfriend becomes addicted to a game (Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee) and finishes it... Then becomes inspired to play the previous games. Live isnt a shabby product in the slightest bit. The headset actually sounds really good (and trust me, I know a little about voice technology. Ask hal.). Virtually no lag unless there is a valid reason for lag (ie: downloading assloads of pr0n while on Live). The ability to have a form of a "friends" list is awesome. See whos online, what they are playing, and invite or be invited to a game. To add to that, some games also have downloadable content to extend the life of your game. New maps, weapons, missions, etc, with scheduled releases. I say thats pretty neat. From what I hear there will also be a feature that will give the ability to voice chat with them while they are in a seperate game as well as a IM system that can be accessed via PC and possibly even a cellphone. The Live network isnt a simple option. To me, Live has multiplied the value of my xbox tenfold. If you ever take the time to view http://www.xbox.com/community/ you can see that Xbox has something good going on. I think they are recognizing that the online community is a very loyal bunch and are trying to strengthen their product with this dedicated following. To enforce this, tourneys are held (with prizes), fan art competitions, and other crap going on as we speak. Soon XSN will launch. XSN is a sports gamer's wet dream. With XSN, you can create virtual leagues. It will keep track of your rank, stats, and standings on the league. Arrange a schedule of games and get email or cellphone alerts for news on your league/tourney or reminders that you have a game coming up if you like. XSN comes free with any XSN enabled game to anyone who has a Live account. There are 6 XSN titles announced: NFL Fever 2004 (August) NBA Inside Drive 2004 Top Spin Amped 2 NHL Rivals 2004 Links 2004 More info here http://www.xbox.com/e3-03/games/preview-xsnsports.htm and here http://www.XSNsports.com if youre interested. Sure I love my xbox, but I also love my PC. I would also love a GC and PS2 if I had one but all for very different reasons. They all have very strong titles and they also have a grip of crap. So what. Debating on what is best is like debating on what the best marshmallow is in a box of Lucky Charms. Shutting up now.