Product Description

Xbox Live is an online gaming service that lets you play multi-player Xbox games on the Internet via broadband. (Dial-up just isn't fast enough.) What you can do is play great games with people everywhere. It's like having a room of friends ready to play anytime. You can chat with them while you play, no matter where they live. You can download new levels and items to keep games fresh. Xbox Live is the ultimate broadband gaming experience.

Xbox Communicator: this is your headset and microphone device that allows you to communicate with team-mates and opponents while playing games on Xbox Live.

Xbox Live Starter Disc: you will need to run this disc on your Xbox in order to update your Xbox Dashboard for Live features and gameplay.

Xbox Live Subscription Code: this is your passport to 12 months of Xbox Live service. You will enter this code during the Account Setup process. Your subscription starts from the day you setup your account.

You'll receive Live-enabled demo versions of MotoGP and MechAssault so you can get into Live gaming straight away.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14367 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Microsoft
• Released on: 2003-10-31
• Platform: Xbox

Manufacturer's Description
Xbox Live is a broadband-based console gaming service that allows you to play games with your friends online. Xbox Live is the first and only high-speed console gaming arena that allows gamers to get together to continuously play, talk and build a reputation across games and around the world. To get started on Xbox Live, get your Xbox Live starter kit.

Customer Reviews

Live=More Fun
X-Box Live is the programme required by the X-Box to connect to multiplaying gaming. Its easy to setup (insert disc, enter some details and its set up) and adds tons of fun to games that have live enabled (Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, Mech Assault). Playing on Live is a brilliant experience that all gamers should feel and as you're competing against other humans the thrill of winning is also enhanced.

Live also allows new add-ons for games to be download (once again though it only works on Live enabled games). These vary from brand new missions (Splinter Cell), to maps (Brute Force, Mech Assault) and variations of weapons.

X-Box live comes with a one year subscription included in its price but after a year requires extending for the service to still be used. Also required is a broadband internet connection via a ethernet modem (I recommend at least a 512kbs connection or my preferred connection of 1mbs - as a faster connection means less lag).

All in all Live adds a whole new dimension to gaming and is worth the money.

Great idea, and worth the money
I've had xbox live for over a year, and on the whole it has been worth the money I paid for the starter kit. I've managed not to break the headset, which has been a problem for many, and I agree it is very flimsily constructed. For the money though, you can't expect more -- the ability to network with other gamers around the world, and download new content for your games is worth the money without the headset, so you can't really complain about a free unit, can you?

One thing that did happen to me I would like to share: I was laid up a very ill for a while, and consequently I didn't keep my xbox live details up to date when they change. It completely slipped my mind to update them with my new credit card number, and because my ISP changed around then, they couldn't tell me when the subscription ran out. In short, my account was cancelled and locked, so I lost my gamer tag and the stats I built up.

You can't reuse the subscription number you get with this kit. Once it's been used, you have to get a new kit like me to start again. So please, remember to keep your details up to date.

Reviewed by Mark E. Cooper
The Warrior Within

Brilliant
Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant!!!!
This bit of kit is the most amazingthing I have ever experienced in gaming.
Last night I raced against 4Americas, a Dutchman and two English people on Project Gotham, had afirefight against 15 other's on Rainbow Six, then enjoyed a leisurelyround of golf with a Texan on Links 2004, discussing everything from theweather to Iraq as we played.
If you own an Xbox and have a broadbandconnection, you really must get Xbox Live - It's truly amazing.