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[[File:Xbox Live logo 2013.jpg|250px|right]]


[[Image:Xbox-live-logo.png|250px|right]]
'''Xbox Live''' (trademarked and formerly marketed as '''Xbox LIVE''') is [[Microsoft]]'s online subscription service used to play supported games via internet, using the consoles as servers for multiplayer matches, instead of a dedicated server system. There are two types of Xbox Live memberships: free and Gold. Free accounts allow players access to online content and applications. Gold memberships cost money but include additional features, most notably the ability to participate in online [[multiplayer]]. Players are also eligible for additional programs and exclusive content including Xbox Music, Internet Explorer, and free games through the Games with Gold program.
'''Xbox LIVE''' is [[Microsoft]]'s online [[multiplayer]] subscription service used to play supported games via internet, using [[Xbox]]s as servers for multiplayer matches, instead of a dedicated server system. Xbox LIVE subscriptions run for about $50.00 (US) a year and $60.00 (Canada). In Australia, subscriptions are approximately $90.00 (AUS) for both Xbox and Xbox 360 and in New Zealand, 80-90 NZD depending on the retailer.


Originally released in November 2002, one year after the original release of the Xbox, Xbox LIVE was originally made popular by such games as ''Rainbow Six 3'' and MechAssault. Over one million new users created accounts when ''[[Halo 2]]'' was released, and it became the mainstay of Xbox LIVE, even with the onset of the Xbox 360. Usually the maximum number of players is 16 or less for original Xbox games.
Xbox Live Gold subscriptions run for about USD $50.00 and CAD $60.00 a year. In the United Kingdom, a standard subscription costs about £35 a year. In Australia, subscriptions are approximately $90.00 (AUS) for both Xbox and Xbox 360, and in New Zealand, 80-90 NZD, depending on the retailer. Purchasing one month at a time typically costs between $5 and $10 per month in Canada and the USA.


==Special Features==
Originally released in November 2002, one year after the original release of the Xbox, Xbox LIVE was originally made popular by such games as ''Rainbow Six 3'' and MechAssault. Over one million new users created accounts when ''[[Halo 2]]'' was released, and it became the mainstay of Xbox LIVE, even with the onset of the Xbox 360. Usually, the maximum number of players is 16 or less for original Xbox games. Xbox LIVE support for [[Xbox|original Xbox]] games and software, including ones playable on the [[Xbox 360]], was discontinued on April 15, [[2010]].<ref>http://www.gamekicker.com/Xbox-360/XBox-LIVE-Discontinued-For-Original-XBox-Systems</ref>
Besides multiplayer, Xbox LIVE can be used for downloading content such as new levels and maps. This feature is much more versatile on the Xbox 360 (you can download non-gaming files), because of Microsoft's push to make it a multimedia machine. All of ''[[Halo 2]]'''s [[Multiplayer Map Pack]]s Maps can be downloaded for free. It is unlike Playstation 2's online, just being multiplayer and nothing more, but you can download maps, missions, vehicles, weapons and more. Gamerpoints are achieved by unlocking "Achievements", which are awarded for accomplishments in any 360 game.


==Features==
In addition to multiplayer, Xbox Live can be used for downloading content such as new levels and maps. This feature is much more versatile on the Xbox 360 (you can download non-gaming files), because of Microsoft's push to make it a multimedia machine. All of ''[[Halo 2]]'''s [[Multiplayer Map Pack]]s could have been downloaded for free. [[Gamerscore]] are achieved by unlocking "[[Achievements]]", which are awarded for accomplishments in any 360 game.


== Pricing and Subscription ==
Notable ''Halo''-related features include [[Avatar (Xbox 360)|avatars]] for which players can unlock or purchase items online, the [[Halo Waypoint]] multimedia hub, and downloadable themes, picture packs and additional DLC.
Pricing and subscriptions
An example of a prepaid 2100 Microsoft Points card, which can be used on Xbox Live Marketplace or Games for Windows.


The Silver level service is free, while the Gold level requires a paid subscription. Every new Xbox 360 includes a 1 month subscription to Xbox Live Gold if the player is new to Xbox Live (new account). To continue this subscription or to fully upgrade to a 12 month, the user either signs up with a credit card through the Xbox 360 or may purchase one of the pre-paid Gold subscription cards available at retail stores. Xbox Live Gold subscriptions can be purchased directly from the Xbox 360 with a credit card or from retailers that sell subscriptions. When purchased directly from the console, the Gold subscription pricing is as follows:
==Windows==
On Windows 7 and earlier PC and mobile platforms, the linked service Games for Windows - Live serves a function largely identical to Xbox Live. Players can utilize the same profile on Windows and Xbox, combining their Gamerscore from both platforms. With the release of Windows 8 in 2012, Games for Windows was incorporated into the Xbox brand. As a result, games released on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 bear the Xbox logo. For example, ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'' bears the branding "Xbox Windows", rather than the "Games for Windows" branding found on [[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)|''Halo 2'' for Windows Vista]].


Country   1 Month     3 Months     12 Months
==Statistics==
 
As of June 2006, players had spent over 2.3 billion hours playing over Xbox LIVE. A major portion of that time was spent on ''Halo 2'', by far the most popular title on Xbox LIVE with over 710 million hours spent on it alone, adding up to over five hundred million games. By May 2007, that number rose to five million ''Halo 2'' players on Xbox live, with 700 million total games of ''Halo 2'' played on Xbox LIVE (not including guests).<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=12425 Bungie News: 5-9-2007]</ref>
United States   $7.99         $19.99         $49.99
By the beginning of 2008, Microsoft announced that they had over eleven million unique subscribers on Xbox LIVE. On February 5, 2010, Marc Whitten announced that Xbox Live had reached 23 million members. In February 2013, Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, shared that Xbox LIVE members now number 46 million, up 15 percent from one year previous.<ref>[http://www.geekwire.com/2013/microsoft-24m-kinect-sensors-sold-xbox-live-reaches-46m-members '''Geekwire''': ''24M Kinects sold, Xbox Live hits 46M members'']</ref>
 
United Kingdom   £4.99         £14.99         £39.99
 
Canada           C$ 8.99         C$ 29.99 C$ 59.99
 
Denmark   DKK 59         DKK 159 DKK 499
 
Mexico           MXN 89.00         MXN$ 249.00 MXN$ 599.00
 
Singapore   S$ 13.90         S$ 34.90 S$ 79.90
 
Sweden           SEK 69         SEK 199 SEK 599
 
Europe           € 6.99         € 19.99 € 59.99
 
Australia   AU$ 10.95         AU$ 29.95 AU$ 79.95
 
New Zealand   NZ$ 10.95         NZ$ 29.95 NZ$ 79.95[34]
 
Japan           ¥819                 ¥2079         ¥5229
 
If users associate a credit card with their Xbox Live account, when the current subscription ends, it is renewed automatically. When this occurs, a notification e-mail is sent to the e-mail address registered for the account. In order to cancel this automatic renewal, users are required to phone a customer service number as cancellations cannot be made directly from the console. This procedure has been criticized by some users, particularly with respects to requests made by customer service operators concerning the reasons for cancellation.
 
 
== Xbox Live Marketplace ==
 
Xbox Live Marketplace is a unified storefront which offers both free and premium content for download including Xbox Live Arcade titles, original Xbox games, Xbox 360 game demos, game expansion material (e.g. extra maps, vehicles, songs), trailers, gamer pictures and themes, television shows, music videos, movie rentals, and more.


Content is purchased using Microsoft Points.
When [[Bungie.net]] stopped record-keeping on March 31, 2012, they reported that players had spent a combined 2,060,196,113 hours (235,182 years) playing ''Halo'' on Xbox LIVE.


http://images.wikia.com/halo/images/c/ce/Xblm360.jpg
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Xbox-live-logo.png|Xbox LIVE logo, 2005-2013
</gallery>


==Statistics==
==Sources==
As of June 2006, players had spent over 2.5 billion hours, playing over Xbox LIVE, a major portion of that time was spent on ''Halo 2'', by far the most popular title on Xbox LIVE with over 710 million hours, spent on it alone, adding up to over five hundred million games. There were over six million unique players who used Xbox LIVE<ref>[http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/10249/532/ http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/10249/532/]</ref>. By May 2007, that number rose to five million ''Halo 2'' players, on Xbox live, with 700 million total games of ''Halo 2'' played on Xbox live (not including guests)<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=12425 Bungie News: 5-9-2007]</ref>.
{{Ref/Sources}}
By the beginning of 2008, Microsoft announced, that they had over eleven million subscribers, on Xbox LIVE.


==References==
==Related links==
<references/>
===Internal===
 
==Related Links==
'''Internal'''
*[[Multiplayer]]
*[[Multiplayer]]
*[[Halo 3 Beta]]
*[[Halo 3 Beta]]
'''External'''
*[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta]]
*[[Avatar (Xbox 360)]]
===External===
*[http://www.xboxlive.com/ Xbox Live]
*[http://www.xboxlive.com/ Xbox Live]
 
[[Category:Xbox]]
 
[[Category:Xbox Live| ]]
[[Category:Xbox Live]]

Latest revision as of 10:16, March 19, 2022

Wikipedia.png
There is more information available on this subject at Xbox LIVE on the English Wikipedia.
Xbox Live logo 2013.jpg

Xbox Live (trademarked and formerly marketed as Xbox LIVE) is Microsoft's online subscription service used to play supported games via internet, using the consoles as servers for multiplayer matches, instead of a dedicated server system. There are two types of Xbox Live memberships: free and Gold. Free accounts allow players access to online content and applications. Gold memberships cost money but include additional features, most notably the ability to participate in online multiplayer. Players are also eligible for additional programs and exclusive content including Xbox Music, Internet Explorer, and free games through the Games with Gold program.

Xbox Live Gold subscriptions run for about USD $50.00 and CAD $60.00 a year. In the United Kingdom, a standard subscription costs about £35 a year. In Australia, subscriptions are approximately $90.00 (AUS) for both Xbox and Xbox 360, and in New Zealand, 80-90 NZD, depending on the retailer. Purchasing one month at a time typically costs between $5 and $10 per month in Canada and the USA.

Originally released in November 2002, one year after the original release of the Xbox, Xbox LIVE was originally made popular by such games as Rainbow Six 3 and MechAssault. Over one million new users created accounts when Halo 2 was released, and it became the mainstay of Xbox LIVE, even with the onset of the Xbox 360. Usually, the maximum number of players is 16 or less for original Xbox games. Xbox LIVE support for original Xbox games and software, including ones playable on the Xbox 360, was discontinued on April 15, 2010.[1]

Features[edit]

In addition to multiplayer, Xbox Live can be used for downloading content such as new levels and maps. This feature is much more versatile on the Xbox 360 (you can download non-gaming files), because of Microsoft's push to make it a multimedia machine. All of Halo 2's Multiplayer Map Packs could have been downloaded for free. Gamerscore are achieved by unlocking "Achievements", which are awarded for accomplishments in any 360 game.

Notable Halo-related features include avatars for which players can unlock or purchase items online, the Halo Waypoint multimedia hub, and downloadable themes, picture packs and additional DLC.

Windows[edit]

On Windows 7 and earlier PC and mobile platforms, the linked service Games for Windows - Live serves a function largely identical to Xbox Live. Players can utilize the same profile on Windows and Xbox, combining their Gamerscore from both platforms. With the release of Windows 8 in 2012, Games for Windows was incorporated into the Xbox brand. As a result, games released on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 bear the Xbox logo. For example, Halo: Spartan Assault bears the branding "Xbox Windows", rather than the "Games for Windows" branding found on Halo 2 for Windows Vista.

Statistics[edit]

As of June 2006, players had spent over 2.3 billion hours playing over Xbox LIVE. A major portion of that time was spent on Halo 2, by far the most popular title on Xbox LIVE with over 710 million hours spent on it alone, adding up to over five hundred million games. By May 2007, that number rose to five million Halo 2 players on Xbox live, with 700 million total games of Halo 2 played on Xbox LIVE (not including guests).[2] By the beginning of 2008, Microsoft announced that they had over eleven million unique subscribers on Xbox LIVE. On February 5, 2010, Marc Whitten announced that Xbox Live had reached 23 million members. In February 2013, Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, shared that Xbox LIVE members now number 46 million, up 15 percent from one year previous.[3]

When Bungie.net stopped record-keeping on March 31, 2012, they reported that players had spent a combined 2,060,196,113 hours (235,182 years) playing Halo on Xbox LIVE.

Gallery[edit]

Sources[edit]

Related links[edit]

Internal[edit]

External[edit]