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The State of Live

by Joel Clausen

This is an opinion editorial

It Seems Like Only Yesterday

Nearly 5 years have come and gone for Microsoft's Xbox Live. From the original black box to the new Xbox 360, Live has seen its ups and downs over the years although its popularity has yet to diminish and continues to grow. Supporting 37 countries and expanding with over 6 million users across the globe, Microsoft has assisted in ushering in a universal gaming community. Those who experienced Live at launch have witnessed the service evolve from a one dimensional online experience to an all encompassing entertainment and gaming medium. The days where strictly voice chat and friends lists were new age and technologically advanced are all but gone. As times change so does Xbox Live. It has been a learning process for both parties especially considering Microsoft’s open door policy which has paid great dividends to both their company and the end gamer. Almost 5 years have passed and only one legitimate question has continually been debated. Is the Xbox Live service worth the price?

The Entire Kit and Caboodle or Just the Kit?

Before the questioned is answered one must know what options are available to them. Remember, options are always a good thing. There are two separate Live subscription services offered to all 360 owners. The first titled, the “Silver” package, enables you to utilize a surprising amount of content free of charge. This package includes but is not limited to;

Personal Gamer Profile
Gamer Score
Friends List
Text and Voice Communication
Marketplace Access

Besides the Gold member only content which is minimal and for the most part insignificant, what separates the Silver package from the Gold is the ability to play online, with rare exceptions to this rule. MMO games are accessible through Silver although most carry 3rd party subscription based fees as with Final Fantasy XI and PlayOnline. Suffice it to say, you are given everything the Gold member has without the ability to play non MMO titles online. Let’s take a moment to ponder all that comes with the Silver package. The most likely drawn conclusion from anyone who is honest will be that it is a substantial sum of content for nothing. Obviously downloading movies and television shows will dent your pocket book slightly but this does not negate the fact a wide variety of other free options are available to Silver subscribers. Demos have become quite popular and in some aspects have made the entire rating system obsolete. People can now play a game in which they find interest in before it is released, free of charge, and decide afterwards if it is worthy of a purchase. Live has recently released a free arcade title, Aegis Wing, for everyone and all to download at their whim. The Marketplace also occasionally offers free television shows such as South Park HD and Joes Versus Pro’s to name but only two examples. Granted, the vast majority of Live members opt for the Gold package so that they might sever their friends head in a match of Gears of War. For this you have to come out the pocket with roughly $4 a month or $50 a year. There are also subscription cards available at various retailers for those who do not have a credit card or wish to only subscribe for a specific amount of time. These cards include but are not limited to;