XBOX Online: Overhyped?

[sadatx]

Admittedly, I've been playing for only just over a month, but so far I don't think it's the greatest thing ever like I hear so many people say.

I've played Mechassault, Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six online and like them all O.K. (Ghost Recon probably the best), but for every great game (and you do find groups of players who are extremely fun to play with) there's at least five games where the connection is screwed up, 10 games where the other players know the spawn points so well they just stake them out and snipe you ad naseum, and another 10 games where there's at least one player using some knid of cheat.

I know the better I get the more fun I'll have playing and with everyone online community there'll be the occasional assholes, but, I mean, it's almost as if the fun things about Xbox online are cancelled out by the annoyances.

Let me stress ALMOST, because I'll still play and I think it's still fun, but the greatest thing ever?

I don't know, what are all of your thoughts?

[Prophecy]

I play on Live and I enjoy myself most of the time. I've only seen hackers on Unreal T. and Wolfenstein. M$ is supposed to be working on patching those games to fix the problem as we speak though. I'm not sure if its bad code on MS's part or the developers but it's somewhere

As for knowing the spawn points, well that comes with playing the game. I've never met a spawn camper that couldn't be wiped out. It might take a bit of work but it's do able. Also, if the other team can get someone in place to set up a spawn point sniper that's some bad teamwork going on there somewhere.

As for lag, well it's the internet. People are supposed to be using a cable connection or better but some people don't. Most games have a connection speed or status bar next to them. Are you using that before you pick a game? Try sticking to games with a dedicated server for a while and see how that goes.

Lastly, for the "assholes" online. Well again, it's the online gaming community. The only thing I can say about this is either get the host to boot the guy or leave the game yourself. Just try to take everything in stride. I've met my fair share of pain in the asses online too.

[TinniT]

I woudln't necessarily call it the greatest thign ever, but I've turned it into a reason for buying an xbox, and to that effect, a console.

I play video games on the computer. My brother plays console games. He owns every frickin' console int he world since the first generation Atari, the only exception was the TG16, that I purchased, and the Neo Geo (who was crazy enough to by that sucker?)

The Xbox is the only conosle I have considered worthy of buying, solely for the Xbox Live.

My favorite game on the system is Crimson Skies. That game is simply amazing. X-box live Team Deathmatch is awesome. I could get bored of it if I played it too much every day, but I only play video games even on my computer about once or twice a month, once a week if I'm lucky.

I am saving for an xbox after the price decrease.


I think Mech Assault is *decent* online. I never get to play it long enough to really enjoy the game. Like Crimson Skies, it is a completely different game when you have someone sitting next to you playing it online and helping you double team individuals.

These are the only two games I've played online, and the ability to talk to everyone online is absolute fun. Its idle chat that brings slight excitement to everyone present, and in the case of Crimson Skies, there is nothing more fun than dogfighting with soemone for an extended amount of time, to finally yell out, "you're dead!" as soon as your target lines up.

I woudln't say its the best in the world. I still think that computer gaming is my niche of entertainment, but Xbox live *is* the reason i've considered buying a console again.

[theburner]

While I don't consider Live to be the Shiznit, it is a decent reason to buy an Xbox. Most of my gaming buddies have moved to the 4 corners of the earth and Live allows me to continue playing with them! I have also met some pretty cool people on Live and added them to my friends list. BTW, your friends list is key. If you like gaming with someone add them to your list. Eventually you won't need to "slum" with the Assholes you mentioned, you will just join games your friends are already in.
Yes, there are TOTAL punks on live. But with a well groomed friends list you can pretty much avoid them.
Also, too many people hype live like it is a life changing event. It isn't.. But, it does open up a whole realm of possibilities that have previously only been available to PC gamers.

[Stare At The Sun]

online play always enhances a game, console or pc, its always better online, imo! Though i never do get around to using live, i will eventually. its the wave of the future, and seems to be ahead of PS2's online system

[Dibbler]

If you're looking to play "Live" without all the angry 14 year olds practicing the cuss words they learned at school today you need to check out some of the "mature" XBL sites and join up. I belong to a group called MXGamers (Mature Xbox Gamers) and have had a great time. I think our youngest member is 15 but most of us are in our 20's, 30's and 40's. This works great for getting some fun people to play with and add to your friends list. I don't even play live unless it's someone from my group. We have quite a few guys that have T1 connections and they host quite a bit so lags usually not a problem. If you want to check us out go to www.mxgamers.com I've also seen at least 8 other groups doing the same thing we're doing.

[theburner]

Dibbler, you are soooo correct. I don't venture outside my Friends list often at all for fear of finding those 14 y/o "tough guys".
Funniest thing to happen to me on Live so far? (didn't ask, but I am offering!)
I was playing GRIT w/ 3 of my buddies that work for Xbox. This punk ass kid comes in and starts to violate EVERY Code of Conduct. One of the Xbox employees notes this to the kid, who proceeds to violate whatever codes he hadn't up to that point. Long story short, the kid is mid rant when he gets booted and found himself banned from live with not only a serial number block, but also an IP block just in case he buys another Xbox.
### Remember, you never know who is behind the screen name, so be careful who you yell at! Most Xbox employees have at least one screen name and play pretty regularly.###