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Sev
06-28-2005, 09:22 PM
Will the Xbox360 have it's own version of Xbox Live?
Not really. The Xbox360 console itself will have different Live features available than the Xbox 1 but it is still the same service.

If I'm playing a current gen Xbox game on Live with an Xbox360 can I play against people playing the same game on Live with a current gen Xbox?
Yes.

How much will Xbox Live cost when the Xbox360 is launched?
There will be two versions of Xbox Live, Silver and Gold. Silver will be free, and Gold will cost the same as Xbox Live does now ($50 a year).

If I have Xbox Live now what will happen when the Xbox360 comes out?
Your Xbox Live account will automatically turn into an Xbox Live Gold Account.

What's the Difference between the Silver and Gold versions of Xbox live?
The Silver version allows you to use all of Lives features except for online multiplayer and other features that require online multiplayer abilities (tournaments, rankings etc.). Gold offers everything that silver does and also allows you play online multiplayer and the other features that come along with that. For a more in-depth comparison: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/onlinespecs.htm

What About MMO games like WOW and FFXI, will I have to pay for Live AND the individual game's subscription fees?
NO. The free Silver version of Live will allow you to subscribe to MMO games with their own fees. So you will NOT have to pay for both the Gold version of Live and your MMO game at the same time unless you want to.

Becides online multiplayer features what other kinds of features will the new live have?
Text Messaging, Voice Messaging, Video Messaging, Voice Chat, Video Chat, Downloadable Content, Live Marketplace, Live Arcade, etc. For a more in-depth list: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/onlinespecs.htm

Do I need a credit card to sign up for Xbox Live?
No. For the Current iteration of Xbox Live you need a credit card to sign up for Xbox Live, however when the Gold/Silver leveled version of Xbox Live launches with the Xbox 360 you will not need a credit card to sign up.
[Read More Here: http://www.xboxsolution.com/article1717.html ]

What games will use Xbox Live?
Technically all games will be at very least "Live aware" meaning that at any time during a game you will be able to use and access most if not all of Xbox Live's features such as sending and receiving messages, sending and receiving game invitations, visiting the market place, etc.

How do I access these Xbox Live features while I'm in the game?
The new Xbox360 controllers feature a new "Xbox Guide" button. This button looks like the Xbox360 logo and will allow you to access the Xbox Guide (the dashboard) at any time. The Button also has a circular light around it that will change colors to alert you about new messages or game invites.

Will my game pause when I push the Xbox Guide button?
Sometimes, MS has said that they will be leaving this sort of thing up to the individual game developers.

I've heard that we will be able to download games through Xbox Live, what's the deal with this?
Not much information has been released on this topic, we know for sure that MS has partnered with some very powerful broadband content delivery services. Based on survey questions it would seem that MS is planning on possibly delivering fully featured Xbox and Xbox360 titles through broadband. This would mean actual games (NOT little Live Arcade type games). The idea is the Xbox360 would stream the game content as you need it (so instead of "loading" you'd have "downloading"). There are rumors that if this service becomes available it will be at a cost of $30 a month and allow access to a very large catalog of Xbox titles (everything but new/recent releases).

Will the Xbox360 come with a Communicator/Headset?
Yes, however the Xbox360 does not need a Communicator type dongle, the headset plugs directly into the controller.
http://media.teamxbox.com/dailyposts/xbox360/specs/headset.jpg

Is the headset wired or wireless?
The version that comes with the Xbox360 will be wired, shortly after the Xbox360's launch there will be an official wireless headset available.

What's the difference between the Xbox 1 headset and the new headset?
There are many differences:
-Over the head design as opposed to behind the head
-White/Grey in color as opposed to Black/Green
-The Communicator "dongle" is no longer needed (headset plugs directly into the bottom of the controller)
-Volume and Mute are located on the wire that connects the headset to the Controller. (it is unknown how this will work for the wireless version)
-The new head set features noise cancellation to allow for clearer communication.

Will I be able to use my own headset?
It is unknown at this point however it is very likely. The headset port features a standard 1/8" jack, however unless your headset has it's own volume/mute controls you will most likely be left without a way to control it.

How does Xbox Live support Video Chat?
There will be an optional USB Web Cam available at launch.
http://media.teamxbox.com/dailyposts/xbox360/specs/camera.jpg

What are the Camera's specs?
- 640x480 video at 30FPS
- 1.3 Mega-pixel still photos
- Microphone support (plugs into controller)

What other things will the camera be used for?
In addition to video messaging and video chat, the camera can be used by games for various features, or as a controller, Also the camera can be used to take still photos for viewing on the Xbox360 or to put your own face in certain games.

Sources:
http://news.teamxbox.com/
http://www.xbox.com/
http://www.xbox360.com/


I did not write this, credit goes out to twistedsymphony for writing it up.

On another side note, i don't care what you say about the xbox 360 but it has the upper hand with the online feature. If you have any info on the ps3's online stuff post away!

koopdi
06-28-2005, 10:59 PM
I don't know how you could say it has the upper hand how many of these features are exclusive? Not that they aren't impressive. I am very impressed. Yes sir! It knocks my socks off!

I hear tell PS3 will have an IP based camera system meaning that the camera you use need not be local. Also, PS3 will have built in wifi so developers will be able to count on it being there (xbox leaves an available expansion for wifi). All the information I have is somewhat old but it's all oficial so someone please correct me if it's changed.

KaenLogos
06-28-2005, 11:16 PM
Yes sir live 360 sounds pretty awesome indeed. Thanks for posting this, quite informative indeed.

As far as ps3 online features, in my opinion it better be taken with a grain of salt. Im sure sony will do something much better but they are quite famous for promising one thing and giving another. Funny how sony promised video chat online with the ps2...and downloadable demos and etc etc...

Microsoft really has sony by the balls as far as online goes currently, notice I said CURRENTLY! That could change in the future but its gonna take a helluva strategy to turn the online tide. I really tip my hat to microsoft for xbox live, its only downfall is asshats that use it in immature fashions. The service itself is damn excellent and only getting better. It does fall victim time to time from lazy devs with crappy netcode though so it aint perfect, but its nice to know microsoft is constantly working on making it better :)

poor sony...they have some good online ps2 games but their service is pretty laughable at this point. Definately wouldnt mind seeing this changed, metal gear 4 online for the ps3 could be barrels o fun, personally though im gonna be fragging away to my hearts content on live...mmmmm halo3, gears of war, perfect dark zero, ghost recon 3 (this could be multiplatform), dead or alive 4, project gotham 3, huxley...absolutely can not wait for next gen online, they are finally starting to bring console gamers what pc gamers have enjoyed for quite some time now. Its exciting to see due to the plethora of online gametypes you can have on a console outside of fps and rts titles.

The Bran Eating Zombie
06-29-2005, 12:02 AM
You can't really say it has one up on its competitors when we don't know shit. All we know is that they're all going to have one.

KaenLogos
06-29-2005, 12:07 AM
Thus far I would say microsoft has the advantage seeing how they already have a stable and profecient online service already up and running. Sony and nintendo still havent quite nailed theirs down yet. Though it is true we dont know much and its not entirely fair, microsoft at least has experience over the other 2 in this arena alone.

The Bran Eating Zombie
06-29-2005, 12:23 AM
Sony has 3 times the market share xbox has. As soon as they launch an online service it'll be the most popular, period.

Nintendos is free, so everyone who owns a revolution will use it.

Basically it's now just an expected feature, it doesn't give anyone the upper hand anymore.

(That's a good thing)

IARKK
06-29-2005, 12:44 PM
wait, so If I buy Xbox Live Silver, I have to pay everytime I want to play multiplayer? That's CRAPhttp://polykarbonbbs.com/images/smilies/razz.gifhttp://polykarbonbbs.com/images/smilies/razz.gifhttp://polykarbonbbs.com/images/smilies/razz.gif

Shou
06-29-2005, 01:06 PM
silver is free, you cant buy it. gold costs money just like regular xboxlive and is the only one that does online multiplayer. Silvers only real purpose seems to be for people who just want to play mmorpgs since they have their own fees and servers

Alucard1515
06-29-2005, 01:38 PM
These new consoles are going to really piss me off, because I CAN'T get broadband where I'm at right now. Well, I can get satellite, but you can't really use that for gaming.

Shou
06-29-2005, 02:32 PM
what do you mean, 2 second pings pwn in games

koopdi
06-29-2005, 02:46 PM
You just need to plan out your movements and figure out where things should be even if the screen isn't updating.

The Bran Eating Zombie
06-29-2005, 11:43 PM
Maybe there will be some really good online turn based stratigy games.

Snowfox
06-30-2005, 12:02 AM
A new Sid Meyer game would be great.

Alucard1515
06-30-2005, 12:36 PM
Strategy games on consoles are annoying, and I've got Civ 4 coming up to scratch that itch anyway.