Xbox Live Product Evaluation - Essay Example

Xbox Live Product Evaluation Owned and developed by Microsoft, the Xbox brand was released in 2002, and has been an incredibly popular gaming system, competing with Sony and Nintendo . With its distinctive black box the Xbox 360 is the current variant of the brand and a successor to the original Xbox.The brand took a significant leap forward in 2006 when the Xbox Live service was released. Xbox Live offers new playability to an already highly popular system, increasing the interactivity of the gaming experience and giving players the ability to interact with other gamers anywhere in the world .

Xbox Live significantly increased what the Xbox 360 system offered without consumers needing to buy another console. It is a subscription-based service that offers a wide range of functions, including media streaming and download, online gaming, social networking and downloadable content (DLC). Although the system was expensive when it first game out, it has experienced several price cuts along the way, and it now offers more content than it did at that time . The introduction of Xbox Live significantly changes the way that the system is used, and broadens its appeal beyond that of traditional or hardcore gamers.

For many, the Xbox 360 moves from being a gaming system to either partially or exclusively being dedicated to movies. The direct connection to the internet that is the key feature of Xbox Live offers players the ability to use many different applications including Netflix. Six months after the introduction of Xbox Live, Netflix initiated its Watch Instantly application, which allows users to stream Netflix content and watch it directly on their television. Additionally, the system allows for downloading of trailers, full television episodes, movies and music videos .

The options that Xbox Live offers are almost limitless. For social gamers, the platform connects both Facebook and Twitter into the gaming experience, making it easy to access both sites from the Xbox, as well the ability to post updates to your profile and upload pictures that have been taken within the game to your Facebook wall. Face-to-face video chat is also available to subscribers to Xbox’s Gold service . However, intense gamers are not disadvantaged in the move to Xbox Live, as the new system offers many new and improved gaming functions.

Online multiplayer is an exciting feature that comes with the Gold subscription to Xbox live. Playing against real people who can talk back is an aspect of this service that completely changes the way that a game is played. Whether you play “1 vs. 100” against other real competitors, race players in “Forza MotorSport 3” or hunt them in “Halo 3: ODST” game playing is much more interesting with an opponent who can think and react . Alternatively, online multiplayer can take the form of co-op missions, such as being on the same team in Halo.

This adds a new element of strategy to gaming, and can make the experience exciting and new. Applications that are available on Xbox Live vary substantially, and this makes it accessible to a wide audience. Many games have DLC that can be bought from the online store or downloaded for free depending on what it is. This function allows game developers to continue to expand their games and for gamers to get new gameplay and content for a fraction of the cost of buying a full game online. For causal, female and nostalgic gamers, there are a large range of small games that are available for purchase off the online store .

This addition is appealing to people who are looking for something a little different, or who get bored easily of the same thing. Casual games are generally shorter to play, can be picked up and put down easily and are inexpensive compared to full games. This means that they are often more desirable than a full game in certain circumstances, or by some gamers. The features available on Xbox Live significantly extend it from being a gamer-only system, to an all-round entertainment unit that can provide a wide range of different functions and is appealing to many different types of people.

It is one of the most cost-efficient gaming systems as it not only offers standard and online gaming features, but it is a full media center and can be used for movies or for games as the person desires. It is likely that Xbox Live will continue to develop, working with many different industries to produce a product that offers a wide range of applications and products that suit many different types of gamers, and even non-gamers. Works Cited Animation Xpress 2009. Xbox Live Adds Social Network Connectivity.

Animation Xpress. Mumbai, Bulik, B. S. 2009. Not Just for the Hard-Core Anymore. Advertising Age, 80, 18.