An Introduction To Xbox Live

The XBox and XBox 360 gaming consoles have been Microsoft's answer to Sony and their full line of electronic gaming devices

. With the advent of this latest one, it has become much easier for users to play their favorite games online against friends, family, or a bitter rival from halfway across the world. As long as you have a high-speed Internet connection, you are ready to experience all of the benefits that XBox Live provides its users.

It is now believed that over 60% of all people who own an XBox 360 are members of the Live service. Microsoft's Live is the central portal that allows players from all reaches of the globe to play video games against one another online.

Live also allows the user to demo upcoming games that will be hitting the market soon, purchase upgrades for different games, and see all of the news that is coming out from Microsoft regarding the 360 console.

XBox Live provides all of those benefits and in addition to them permits you to browse the internet on your television, check your email, listen to music you have downloaded, or watch movies that you have downloaded. And everyone has seen the ads for the amazing partnership with Netflix which allows Microsoft Live subscribers to stream movies directly from Netflix through their console for instant entertainment enjoyment. You must be members of both Live and of Netflix to enjoy the amazing benefits of this service.

You are prompted to create your own "Gamertag" upon initial set up of your applications software. The "Gamertag" is simply your profile name that others will see when you are signed on to this online service. It's the name other players will refer to you as. It's the name that will be posted when buying upgrades or accessories, and shown for your high scores. It's also what your Friend's List is based on when signed onto this service.

There is a Silver membership version, and a Gold membership version of XBox Live. Free access to your profile setup, the Marketplace, the Arcade, and the setup of your Friend's List is granted with the Silver membership. With the Gold membership, users are awarded special privileges to inform them of the skill levels of other players. The Gold package also offers members additional Marketplace material that is not available to Silver members. $8 a month signs you up for the Gold membership. But paying upfront for a whole year only costs $50 - a savings of nearly 50%!

Microsoft's internet based service really takes users to the another level as far as what their video games can do and what they can do with them . This creates a community for the expert and the novice and lets you really get into it with games against other players, or the options for entertainment such as music and movies. It kicks it up a notch and takes gaming to the next level.

by: Aaron Hamilton

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