Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, STILL not being fooled by the NY Knicks’ hot start, butterscotch vs. caramel, or last night’s X-Factor USA results, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
Xbox Live is now ten-years old. Happy birthday Xbox Live! Microsoft’s online gaming service was and is a big deal for console gaming. It truly transformed what console games could be and greatly extended the capabilities of the actual hardware. It drastically improved the online capabilities of consoles. Hell, there’s a whole generation of gamers that has no idea that online console gaming used to be a joke compared to online PC gaming. Features like Achievements, GamerScore, in-game chat, apps, and more were done first on Xbox Live. Many maintain that XBLA still does it better than anyone else.
With all those warm and fuzzy feelings about Xbox Live floating around your brain, I’d love to hear what your favorite aspect of the service is. Is it the online play? Is it the social stuff? Is it the fact that Xbox Live has allowed your Xbox 360 to become a Netflix machine? Kindly leave a comment with your favorite Xbox Live features!
Hmmm…
I’d have to say the fact that my brother and I are 2500 miles apart and I can still kick his ass in Madden as if he were sitting beside me.
The party chat was the addition to the service that (for me) took it to the next level. It was really hard to maintain communication before that. I remember the first night of party chat when I kept hearing people say “HOLY SH*T!.. the game is loading… and I can still hear you talking! That’s awesome!”.
In days gone by, when my online gaming persona could most aptly be characterized as ” ardent ps3 fanboy/douchebag”, I would often malign the Xbox Live for what I viewed, at the time, to be it’s shortcomings; whilst simultaneously de-emphasizing whatever it did well. Being older, more objective, and less of a fanboy douchelord, I can agree that Xbox Live’s influence over the entire scope of online gaming has been transformative. It is amazing to me that 10 years ago, the concept of playing games online via console was in it’s nascency. Microsoft deserves credit for progressing the genre. Taking the formula that Sony and Sega had established, and really bringing it to the next level.
I’m thankful it is faster than PSN by a long shot. Otherwise meh.
Well, normally, I like to whine and bitch about XBL (since I pay for it, I get a free pass to bitch about whatever I don’t like), but since we’re all about the warm fuzzies today, I guess that I should be grateful for the little things it gets right. The network stability is impressive as is the party chat function. I know most people use XBL for Netflix, Hulu, and other media apps, but I really only use it for online play and chats. They’ve also streamlined the dashboard which is better than it was before now that they’ve placed the games tab before the TV, movies, and music tab. Also, the ability to “pin” your favorite apps/games to your main screen is a welcome sight.
For the future, it would be cool if they could expand the party chat function to actually see on the screen what your friends are playing in real time. This function would give you the ability to have an audience present while you kick somebody’s ass in MK (for example).
-M
Because of XBL I am internationally know. I love the party feature the most. I can talk to anyone in the world for a flat rate of $60. Vonage what?
I’m not internationally known, but I’m known to rock the microphone.
Oh man I love this!
Xbox live also helps me keep up to date with all the latest racist insults, I’m getting older, I like to stay in the know.
#SDF
Agreed. XBL seems to have more degenerates…because PS3 is for the rich kids. I kid, I kid!!!