Xbox Live

[ckay87]

Who can tell me anything about this? I'm interested in it as a Christmas gift for my kids, but I don't really understand the hardware requirements and costs involved. I'm searching the web as we speak, but I thought I'd first check with the premiere online group of "know-it-alls

I understand you need a Broadband connection - what then? Does it need to connect to an actual computer? A modem? I guess you need to have the DSL wire itself in the room with the XBox?

(I am a self-proclaimed hardware dummy, so please bear with me)

Now I'm learning that there will be a monthly fee. Any word on what that will be?

Is there a variety of games which support Live? Any other important features? I mean, really, what the heck is it? The ability to challenge other players with Live?

That's it for now, I think. I just want to be sure that this is something that we CAN hook up for the boys before putting it under the tree. But this would be the coolest gift for my guys.

Funny thing is, my kids probably have all these answers, but I can't ask them because they'd wonder why I'm asking. We don't even have an Xbox yet!

In advance...thanks so much!

 

[ckay87]

bump

Really? Nobody?

 

[WDWHound]

I don't have an Xbox, but I know a few things about live. Live is basically the ability to play against other playewrs on the internet, and to talk with them via a headset while playiung. Games can be head to head or team based (team based internety play is a blast), it depends on the game. There are many games that are live enabled. I have noi idea what the monthly fee is once the first year expires.

The following description for Live's starter kit (taken from amazon.com) gives a pretty good overview.

"Xbox Live is an online gaming service that lets you play multiplayer Xbox games over the Internet via your broadband connection. This Xbox Live starter kit includes a one-year subscription to Xbox Live, plus the Xbox Communicator, a device that plugs into one of your Xbox controller ports and lets you talk with other Xbox Live gamers during games.
To play games over the Xbox Live service, you'll need: "

"High speed, or broadband, Internet service
An Ethernet cable so you can connect your Xbox to your external DSL or cable modem (and maybe a router, if you want your home computer and Xbox to share your Internet connection)
A subscription to the Xbox Live service (this kit comes with a year of service--additional service costs a monthly fee)
An Xbox game that is online-enabled "

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by ckay87
Who can tell me anything about this? I'm interested in it as a Christmas gift for my kids, but I don't really understand the hardware requirements and costs involved. I'm searching the web as we speak, but I thought I'd first check with the premiere online group of "know-it-alls

I understand you need a Broadband connection - what then? Does it need to connect to an actual computer? A modem? I guess you need to have the DSL wire itself in the room with the XBox?

(I am a self-proclaimed hardware dummy, so please bear with me)

Now I'm learning that there will be a monthly fee. Any word on what that will be?

Is there a variety of games which support Live? Any other important features? I mean, really, what the heck is it? The ability to challenge other players with Live?

That's it for now, I think. I just want to be sure that this is something that we CAN hook up for the boys before putting it under the tree. But this would be the coolest gift for my guys.

Funny thing is, my kids probably have all these answers, but I can't ask them because they'd wonder why I'm asking. We don't even have an Xbox yet!

In advance...thanks so much!

This should help

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Live/Connect/default.htm

you can buy the xbox live starter kit that gives you a 12 month subscription for $50.00

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/about/plans-starterkit.htm

Here is a page describing connection options

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/connect/choose.htm

Xbox live is essentially the ability to play your xbox games with others on line. Halo and Halo 2 are some of the most popular. There are a plethora of titles available for xbox live. you can have a set of friends you play with, or you can join random games on line. You can also get a headset and microphone that allows you to communicate with those with whom you are playing.

 

[mickman1962]

Originally posted by ckay87
Who can tell me anything about this? I'm interested in it as a Christmas gift for my kids, but I don't really understand the hardware requirements and costs involved. I'm searching the web as we speak, but I thought I'd first check with the premiere online group of "know-it-alls

I understand you need a Broadband connection - what then? Does it need to connect to an actual computer? A modem? I guess you need to have the DSL wire itself in the room with the XBox?

(I am a self-proclaimed hardware dummy, so please bear with me)

Now I'm learning that there will be a monthly fee. Any word on what that will be?

Is there a variety of games which support Live? Any other important features? I mean, really, what the heck is it? The ability to challenge other players with Live?

That's it for now, I think. I just want to be sure that this is something that we CAN hook up for the boys before putting it under the tree. But this would be the coolest gift for my guys.

Funny thing is, my kids probably have all these answers, but I can't ask them because they'd wonder why I'm asking. We don't even have an Xbox yet!

In advance...thanks so much!

My first question would be how old are your kid's? I've had Live since day one so I'll give you whatever help you need but the language can get quite vile at times. Mainly teenagers thinking it's cool to use shocking language.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by mickman1962
My first question would be how old are your kid's? I've had Live since day one so I'll give you whatever help you need but the language can get quite vile at times. Mainly teenagers thinking it's cool to use shocking language.

You can turn off the audio

 

[ckay87]

Originally posted by mickman1962
My first question would be how old are your kid's? I've had Live since day one so I'll give you whatever help you need but the language can get quite vile at times. Mainly teenagers thinking it's cool to use shocking language.

Wow - that's an important point. My boys are 12 and 8 and they're not ready for that (because I say so)

I thought of that - are they playing with strangers? I'm not sure I'd want them talking with strangers.

But you can turn off the audio, huh?

Maybe I have to re-think this gift idea.

 

[LoraJ]

I have it, and while I like playing online vs. other people, there are a lot of little kids on there with potty mouths. So, if you get it for them, make sure that you turn off the live audio in the settings.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by ckay87
Wow - that's an important point. My boys are 12 and 8 and they're not ready for that (because I say so)

I thought of that - are they playing with strangers? I'm not sure I'd want them talking with strangers.

But you can turn off the audio, huh?

Maybe I have to re-think this gift idea.

They would only talk with strangers if you bought the xbox live headset for them. I play without the headset and the audio turned off. The kids get really annoying, and unless you are playing with just your friends that you set up, there is less risk. It's only when you join a random game that it really becomes obnoxious