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Xbox Live

Nick McCrea returns from X02 with news of Microsoft's 'Live' service.

If there was one overarching goal of X02, then it was this - to convince the gaming and wider press of the potential of Xbox Live. The event saw a number of announcements on the subject, as well as providing the opportunity to play the launch titles first hand in an Xbox Live environment.

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Xbox Live will beta in the UK, France and Germany from November 1. These countrieswere chosen because they represent the vast majority of the gaming audience MS hope to capture, and because online gaming has had a better history in these countries, providing a better-informed quality of beta tester.

The Xbox Live full launch will occur on 14th March, exactly a year to the day from the original European Xbox launch (the US Xbox Live will debut in November, exactly a year to the day also - clearly MS has thought this out for a while!). Rollout will occur in waves, with eight countries comprising the first wave. These countries will be : UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden. It will, for those of you who don't already know, be a broadband only service. MS don't provide you with the internet connection, simply access to the Live service. This is achieved through the purchase of the starter pack, which also contains the voice communicator. This is simply a headset and attached microphone, and it will be the only method of communicationin Xbox Live games - MS have not yet sanctioned the use of typed communication (though I expect this position to change when the voice com is established). The starter pack will cost 59 Euros so expect a UK price tag of around £39. Microsoft did not announce the countries in the second wave, but Jay Allard (Xbox Director) did reveal later that users in other European countries could still use the service, but would not be covered by tech support in their own language - implying that they could still use another language support service, perhaps?

The starter pack will ship with two games, Whacked and MotoGP. Whacked is astrange combat game show-style affair, featuring weird looking and occasionally naked contestants. Moto GP is a graphically stunning motorbike racing title, and while it does look like fun, the real appeal will lie with Mech Assault, Unreal Championship, and Ghost Recon, also to be released on the Xbox Live debut.

Mech Assault is an arcade multiplayer mechwarrior style game, and having played it extensively in Seville I can say I'm thoroughly looking forward to it. The premise is quite simple - take a number of big stompy robots, tell each of them that the others called him a mummy's bot, and then release them all into a variety of arena's to duke it out like irate bulls. This game was destined to be played with a voice communicator - talking trash to an opponent you've just vaporized is incredibly fun, and to all those who voiced doubts over the communication system, don't knock it until you've tried it. The graphics are first rate too - I was firing at an enemy who then fled behind a building, and as my line of fire passed in front of his hiding place I could see my tracer bullets slam into the edifice, and a line of explosions tore across its front, knocking out the windows of several floors.

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1. Xbox Live = Great idea. Completely agree with the article; I'm glad MS is trying something revolutionary like this. Hopefully it will change console multiplayer gaming for the better.

   jiggawhat Friday, 27 September 2002, 17:30:11

2. will X-Box Live work with ISDN?

   Mark Gilbertson Saturday, 28 September 2002, 09:32:26

3. I think so, yes.....can anyone else confirm that?

   Nick McCrea Saturday, 28 September 2002, 09:49:23

4. Its gonna be Cool Xbox LIVE, i hope Counter Strike comes to XBOX LIVE

   Jamshed Sunday, 29 September 2002, 10:28:17

5. idsn will work with xbox live. any connection except for dialup WILL work.

   koolzie Sunday, 29 September 2002, 17:42:34

6. X-Box live will kick ass ! It's not becouse you will be able to play on-line games that you won't be able to play regular games anymore. I'm now looking forward to this evolution and I hope it will be fun ! Microsoft I love you and I hope they will make X-Box the best console of the year !

   X-Box Lover Wednesday, 23 October 2002, 10:14:27

7. X-Box live will kick ass ! It's not becouse you will be able to play on-line games that you won't be able to play regular games anymore. I'm now looking forward to this evolution and I hope it will be fun ! Microsoft I love you and I hope they will make X-Box the best console of the year !

   XrTroSot@rk Wednesday, 23 October 2002, 10:14:45

8. Does Anyone Know when the Xbox Live Release date is in the Uk... Exactly... And yes you can use ISDN Cos it is a Braodband Connection Evan though it is the Slowest One... Hope some one can give me an answer... CHOW

   Kevin Monday, 4 November 2002, 13:32:46

9. Can you play Halo for xbox live?

   Mark Monday, 11 November 2002, 02:21:50

10. Can you play Halo for xbox live?

    Mark Monday, 11 November 2002, 02:21:55

11. Can you play Halo for xbox live?

    Mark Monday, 11 November 2002, 02:22:25

12. Can you play halo for xbox live?

    Mark Monday, 11 November 2002, 02:22:56

13. The launch date is in the article - 14th March. As for playing Halo, then I would guess yes, since it is already possible to play online by hooking your Xbox up to PC LAN and playing via gamespy.

    Nick McCrea Monday, 11 November 2002, 11:44:18

14. The launch date is in the article - 14th March. As for playing Halo, then I would guess yes, since it is already possible to play online by hooking your Xbox up to PC LAN and playing via gamespy.

    Nick McCrea Monday, 11 November 2002, 11:44:22

16. You cannot play Halo on Xbox Live currently, but goto GAMESPY and could play it online right now for free, hopefully they will have downloadable upgrades for halo at least. Xbox Live is better than PS2 network whatever...PS2 is crap with a blue light. wow.

    Big D Tuesday, 12 November 2002, 21:20:27

17. Hey, im testing it atm and its very good.

    The voice comms is nice, the masking gets a bit annoying though!

    Rubba Sunday, 17 November 2002, 01:53:8

18. about isdn, i was reading in xbox live .com and it said that you couldnt use isdn for live i just wanted to know which is true

    please anser me thanx

    teomosas Monday, 18 November 2002, 19:05:31

19. **Spelling problems with previous post**

    ear = year

    aout = out

    P.S. omg means *Oh My God!*

    hugh Tuesday, 19 November 2002, 14:01:34

20. The official retail date for Xbox live is the 14th MArch 2003 but you can get your hands on it at the end of November as Test Drive Subscriber, just go to the Xbox Uk Website, sign up for the newsletter and they will let you know when you can purchase the pack. Also you yearly subscription won't start until March so you get 3 months free.

    techblade Friday, 22 November 2002, 08:53:49

21. what games can be used for xbox live

    justin Saturday, 23 November 2002, 08:30:43

22. NBA 2K3, NFL 2K3, NHL 2K3, MechAssault, Whacked!,

    MotoGP,Unreal Championship, Ghost Recon, NFL Fever 2003

    one from LA USA Saturday, 23 November 2002, 11:44:1

23. Of coure you can paly halo on Xbox live or it would not be the giant succes that it already is.

    Billy joe Friday, 13 December 2002, 05:57:26

24. Well you will have to use 128K preferably to connect to Xbox live i have connected my ISDN using the gamespy tunnel application, 10/100 Ethernet card, and a CAT5 cable. I am yet to try Xbox live out. But my experience on most games through the gamespy tunnel at 128K has been impressive :). 64K will be ok for games such as Time Splitters 2 and Unreal Championship though.

    Omario Saturday, 14 December 2002, 21:05:20

25. Will a 128K broadband connection be good enough for the majority of games, notably Ghost Recon??

    Pablos Monday, 23 December 2002, 15:18:41

26. XBOX Live is a vacation in your own home dozens of games to play hundreds of people to beat XBOX live is number 1 ( Bring It To You All )

    SwordStalker Monday, 30 December 2002, 18:46:52

27. Well keep in mind that none of the games except Unreal Championship I have, have been developed for net play. I guess that with the improving of the XBox live service and the quality rather than random Hostings on GameSpy TUnnel will render 64K ISDN perfectly fine for Xbox live.

    Omario Wednesday, 8 January 2003, 20:49:6

28. I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT EXACTLY I NEED TO GET HOOKED UP ON XBOX LIVE

    savage Tuesday, 14 January 2003, 21:39:28

29. I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT EXACTLY I NEED TO GET HOOKED UP ON XBOX LIVE

    savage Tuesday, 14 January 2003, 21:39:29

30. where do you get the xbox live starter kit

    mike Monday, 20 January 2003, 20:42:5

32. The only place you can get a starter kit is http://www.xbox.com/uk/

    Im a beta tester, I've had it since November and have got it free up until March 2004 heehee!

    fozzy Thursday, 23 January 2003, 11:24:40

33. You need a starter kit from http://www.xbox.com/uk/

    Broadband connection (recomended 500k or greater)

    A valid credit card (for registration)

    Service provider can be anyone except AOL. They refuse to provide a service for Xbox Live.

    My connection is with NTL World and plugs directly from my set top box for my cable into the xbox. Requires minimal setup.

    If you're with BT, or other non cable TV providers then you'll need a hub for your PC and will have to share the connection. A bit faffy, but works just as good in the end

    fozzy Thursday, 23 January 2003, 11:31:19

34. I cant wait 4 xbox live, im gettin broadband just 4 that! If I order the starter kit from the xbox site how long will it take to get to me in the uk?

    Neil Saturday, 1 February 2003, 16:40:15

35. x box live

    josue Saturday, 1 February 2003, 18:31:21

36. does bt broadband work with xbox live.

    Jonny Wednesday, 26 February 2003, 12:22:53

37. it comin in ####### 14th of march 2003!

    xbox_Crazy Sunday, 9 March 2003, 13:22:20

38. Can you get downloadable content for Halo yet

    Jon Thursday, 13 March 2003, 14:53:52

39. Fozzy,

    I can't get mine to work from Set Top Box. Do I need to use the cross over connection or something. Thanks your help.

    Jim

    Jimbo Tuesday, 18 March 2003, 05:41:27

40. x-box does exsist al reaqdy

    gleec Monday, 31 March 2003, 11:09:4

41. No

    John Wednesday, 16 April 2003, 11:22:34

42. what games work on xbox live?

    does halo. that would be kick ass

    Ecko7419 Saturday, 19 April 2003, 13:11:46

43. Even Pipex?

    Kevin Rose Saturday, 26 April 2003, 04:26:10

44. why won't my xbox connect?

    danny Monday, 5 May 2003, 19:10:51

45. hi all

    think x box live is a great idea but i have got 2 questions about it

    1. can you run any game of it with 64k?

    2.if i can run any games with 64k i have a bt digital acces box which i am running it through. it goes to the pc through usb but has a connector the same as the x box one. will it run through that without stopping the pc going on the internet?

    all help would be much appreciated

    nick Friday, 23 May 2003, 14:20:42

46. I was thinking about getting ISDN because DSL and Cable aren't available in my area. Has anybody actually hooked up to Xbox Live through ISDN?

    LittleTexas Thursday, 29 May 2003, 20:48:8

48. Has anyone played with 128/128 connection? I have been connecting through my cell phone and so far all I've done is pissed off a lot of people with my lag.

    LittleTexas Thursday, 29 May 2003, 20:50:51

49. make games affordable...will ya.... then i will let you know if i have good comments.... ;)

    A maldivian Tuesday, 10 June 2003, 13:44:8

50. does x-box live work with american online.

    jose Wednesday, 11 June 2003, 18:58:3

51. I think A MALDIVIAN is right why not making it at a price lower then $100, I mean come on!

    KING MAN Friday, 27 June 2003, 19:34:43

52. YO! BIG D PS2 has Grand Theft Auto!!! That is way beter then Splinter Cell or Halo!!! PS2 has the best garphics then Xbox will ever have!!! P.S. small minds work in small cricles!!!

    KING MAN Friday, 27 June 2003, 20:43:29

53. I dont have x-box live, that or my x-box wont log on to it

    johnny Thursday, 3 July 2003, 13:21:22

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