80°

10 Years of Xbox Live: How Microsoft Created The Ultimate Console Gaming Network

OXM Staff:

A lot of fingers were crossed when Xbox Live took its tenuous first steps. Back in late 2002, the gaming landscape was very different: digital distribution was in its infancy and console multiplayer came in two flavours - split-screen or system link. It was a far cry from today's always connected, always plugged-in world. Microsoft took a serious gamble - one that paid off by ushering in a whole new era for online gaming and multimedia on consoles. Ten years on, it's remarkable how far we've come.

Belking4147d ago (Edited 4147d ago )

I haven't been there since day 1 on Live but the time that i have has been awesome. It's a good service that keeps getting better. Very smart of MS to make this move by creating this service. My opinion of course. I'm sure some will disagree like usual.

MikeMyers4147d ago

Of course some will disagree but what is it they are disagreeing with?

It seems like the biggest issue is price. Some may have a problem with it out of value, out of principal or out of not offering any free alternative that allows online play. What they fail to mention is just how easy the service is to use and how seamless and unified it is. Everything runs within. So if you get an invite, want to chat, send messages, go from game to game, it's all done while being connected. It's also the only service that has Achievements for all games and allows voice chat for all games and that has the ability to listen to your own music for any game.

My issue with it are a few things.

1. Support of dedicated servers
2. No free way of playing online
3. Friends list is still capped at 100
4. The different classes simply don't work. Most people jump lump themselves in recreation.
5. A paid service should excel in weeding out the idiots online and make them more accountable.
6. No mod support
7. Cross play was a failure (Microsoft tried to expand the service to PC but failed)
8. Party chat has its downfall since some prefer to always talk privately which takes away team based games and communicating with one another.
9. No MMO games. We heard about some but they never came (Huxley for example)
10. The patch process is expensive, games like Fez need a fix but the price to devs are too high.

Belking4147d ago

1. Support of dedicated servers (and for good reasons)
2. No free way of playing online (not true and if you can't afford to pay a few dollars amonth then you probably shouldn't be spending money on games anyway)
3. Friends list is still capped at 100 (and for good reasons...720 will take care of that and who the hell need more than 100 friends anyway?)
4. The different classes simply don't work. Most people jump lump themselves in recreation. (again not true)
5. A paid service should excel in weeding out the idiots online and make them more accountable. ( that's what the mute option is for)
6. No mod support( and for good reasons i'm sure...xbox720)
7. Cross play was a failure (Microsoft tried to expand the service to PC but failed) (Not true)
8. Party chat has its downfall since some prefer to always talk privately which takes away team based games and communicating with one another.(but you still have it...better than not)
9. No MMO games. We heard about some but they never came (Huxley for example)(xbox 720 will)
10. The patch process is expensive, games like Fez need a fix but the price to devs are too high.(that's bs...devs need to get their crap right the first time and their would be no need..not MS fault)

MikeMyers4147d ago

1. Because it's peer to peer we still have games like Halo 4 capped at 16 players.
2. It's not about being able to afford it. The fact is nobody else charges for basic service. Microsoft should offer a free alternative. Most games now have some form of online attached to it. So it's a shame they want consumers to pay for the hardware, then pay for the software, then pay for their internet access and then on top of that pay to unlock the online multiplayer they already purchased when they bought the game. It's like a car dealership wanting to charge to unlock the window key so that you can roll down the windows. Online has become a basic need now since most games include it.
3. Some do. In fact some people probably have over 1,000 Facebook friends.
4. No, they don't work. You cannot force Pro gamers to go into the Pro category. You also cannot force those who use a lot of foul language to go into Underground. Most go into Recreation because it makes it easier to join a game due to a larger number of people. This is where the limit of friends comes in. Why not be able to have 50 people in Recreation class, 50 in Pro, 50 in Underground and 50 in Family for example? It's poorly designed and it does a poor job at weeding out the morons who like to go online and ruin the fun for others.
5. The Mute button works to an extent. Muting doesn't prevent people from team killing. It doesn't prevent people hosting and not kicking players out for no reason or taking their sweet ass time in the lobby. Far too many people play loud music just to be an idiot. Maybe if there are enough complaints the system should notify that user to let them know. If they still persist then block their microphone so that everyone doesn't have to mute that person. Why should Live players who pay money have to do all the work for Microsoft? There simply needs to be more accountability, especially for a paid service.
6. The reasons are simply, Microsoft wants it to be a closed-off environment but they can still offer it to those who wish to play on different servers.
7. It is true. Why wasn't Portal 2 offered to play with Steam players but it was on the PS3? Where are all the cross-platforms games you speak of? Shadowrun and....
8. Yes, you still have it but there is a downside to it as well, that's all I'm saying.
9. You keep saying Xbox 720. The Xbox 360 is the second attempt and still Live hasn't evolved in many areas.
10. Poor excuse. Stop defending dumb practices that are mostly relevant to Live. Microsoft has far too many restrictions and limitations. They won't even allow developers to offer more than one free DLC for example. They also capped XBLA game sizes that they had to increase. The people who made Oddworld have also voiced their frustrations. This isn't something that is vaporware.

DigitalRaptor4147d ago (Edited 4147d ago )

@ MikeMyers

You're talking sense to someone who just can't see it. I've said all that's necessary in the past, but you've said it better.

XBL = amazing service

Problem = lack of choice to play every game you own for free, on what is basic peer to peer connectivity. It's something that works everywhere else outside the Xbox eco-system. When a choice like that is revoked everything else that is easily meritable such as the unified nature of XBL goes out the window, cause I'm not going to be subscribing to a service that holds half the games I own for ransom.

Solution = free online gaming for all users. Advanced features come with a paid subscription and Microsoft can easily afford for this to happen, keep the same standard of service, and you all know it. Whether or not it is feasible for MS and their shareholders to drop this easy money maker is not relevant. It's something they should have done a long time ago.

MikeMyers4147d ago (Edited 4147d ago )

DigitalRaptor, I'm not sure if Microsoft could offer a free alternative. The whole system is webbed together to work in unison. That means they need to just drop the fee all-together and do something like Sony has done with Playstation Plus. That is offering a secondary service that shows where the value is coming from, but keep the online multiplayer separated and not have a fee attached. Most people just expect to play online with their friends or make new friends and not be charged for it. EA is not a very liked company but even they don't charge to play online and their servers are actually run by EA on Live servers. EA refused to support Xbox Live unless they had control of their own games. That's why you see EA games taken down from time to time..

If they want to integrate the service with Kinect for example then showcase how it works and try and sell the idea to consumers and get them to buy Kinect. Don't hold all Xbox 360 gamers as hostage and say 'well we have motion controlled search and voice control search, so that's one selling feature.' Or ESPN and other things that are attached to Live. One thing I always hated was how cable companies bundle their packages when a lot of people just want certain channels. That's the great thing when buying music off of services like itunes and amazon, you can now just buy one song if you like. So in essence what Microsoft has done is the same thing, they have taken the online multiplayer and shrouded it with other things to make it appear like there is added value to it.

Back in 2002 that value was much higher than it is today and that is due to other companies evolving. Difference is they have done it all while still giving consumers the ability to play online for free.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4147d ago
4147d ago
IAMERROR4147d ago

Great service but Online gaming needs to be free for all members.

Janitor4147d ago

But, you pay for internet...shouldn't Netflix be free? You paid for your car....shouldn't gas be free?

Janitor4147d ago (Edited 4147d ago )

Yeah that's my point, people think they buy the game every thing else should be free, but most things in life aren't like that is all I'm saying.

IAMERROR- or you could, I don't know, just ignore the ads. But then what would you complain about?

IAMERROR4147d ago (Edited 4147d ago )

You're blowing my comment out of proportion with a ridiculous analogy, every other major gaming service is Free. Doesn't help that the dashboard is plastered with ads everywhere, just saying M$ is making enough money keep all the gold only features MS but make online gaming available for everyone.

@Janitor
The X-bot in you is strong, your xbox damage control is quite funny. I'm an Xbox guy which makes this all the more funny. My complaint wasn't about the ads it was about Online gaming not being free for silver members with only a side remark about the ADS on the dashhboard... even for paying customers! haha let me post some sticky notes on my TV over the ads. In all honestly they don't bother me just making a point that MS would still make revenue even if online gaming was free.

Diver4147d ago

bad analogy dude. no gas shouldn't be free just like electricity to power the Xbox isn't free. but I shouldn't have to pay the car manufacturer if I want my friends to drive their cars with me to a ball game.

Hicken4147d ago

That's a fail, Janitor.

MASSIVE fail.

Netflix provides you with content you can't get elsewhere(legally) without paying.

As for gas, there aren't cars out there that come with free gas for the life of the car. More to the point, that's not a standard practice throughout the industry.

Free online is a standard industry practice... except when it comes to Microsoft's console.

There's no spinning that in a good way.

NONE.

Stop trying.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4147d ago
caseh4147d ago

Have to say I agree about the gaming side of it. You pay for the game which includes the online aspect which is mainly p2p on consoles.

All PC and PS3 games have hosted servers or p2p, you only pay for subscription based games.

Its not like XBL does the gaming aspect any better to justify the fee.

IAMERROR4147d ago (Edited 4147d ago )

MS even knows this! Hence why they made games for Windows live free.

SnakeCQC4147d ago

next article should be how sony created the ultimate gaming network with zero cost to the user ohh yh the official xbox magazine would never do that

hazardman4147d ago

dude if it wasnt for xbl there would be no PSN and to truly take advantage of PSN you have to upgrade to plus..which means you have to pay. I pay for xbl and psn+ i have no problem my ps3 games collection has grown significantly since i started paying for plus...nowadays you have to pay for everything.

caseh4147d ago

'dude if it wasnt for xbl there would be no PSN'

That comment makes no sense, online gaming has been around for about 15 years. MS didn't invent online gaming with the introduction of the Xbox it was just a natural progression. Dreamcast and PS2 both had online capabilities but trying to push those at a time when 56k ruled the world was limiting.

The upgrade to PSN+ is a major boost over what XBL offers. I voluntarily pay £30 a year for a service which offers about £200 of free software, exclusive offers and discounts. You pay that with XBL without any of the advantages I mentioned unless something has changed since I moved on from the Xbox360.

hazardman4147d ago (Edited 4147d ago )

ok im talking this gen of online network. i know dreamcast/ps2/xbox1 had online i owned them all. even then xbox live was still the best service! halo 2/crimson skies/forza/pgr2...every online console game was better on xbl back in the days.... oh and ps2 wasnt online ready from the get go like dreamcast and xbox you had to get the online kit you hook up in back of ps2 fat, i remember it came with the final fantasy game bundle/ wasnt til slim that it came with built in ethernet if im not mistaken..im going off memory/not research so i could be wrong. 34yr old gamer and ive owned almost every console to date.

ALLWRONG4147d ago

^^^ see how Sony fanboys always bring up PSN first in Xbox news? Now go try a comment like that in a PSN article and see how fast it gets removed for trolling, followed by PM's from stalkers.

SnakeCQC4147d ago

im no fan boy i have an awesome pc a 360 and a ps3. Only on the 360 do i have to pay for online for pretty much a similar service

Lvl_up_gamer4147d ago

@ Erudito87

Similar...but not the same.

When PSN becomes less similar and more the same, then you have an argument why it's better to play on a free service. Until then, you are not playing or experiencing the best online service for multiplayer games on a console.

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300°

Microsoft Survey Asks About Handheld

A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest5d ago

This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.

GamerRN5d ago

I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise

Number1TailzFan4d ago

The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.

1Victor4d ago

@thesofware: “A much bigger screen than what?”
A gaming laptop 🤷🏿🤣

Kosic4d ago

Than the screen originally planned...duh... :D

darthv724d ago

it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts4d ago

A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.

KicksnSnares5d ago

Day One buy for me if they'll make a dedicated handheld device.

darthv725d ago

i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.

mudakoshaka5d ago

It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.

PassNextquestion5d ago

I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.

TiredGamer5d ago

This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.

I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?

rlow15d ago (Edited 5d ago )

It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.

But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.

Traecy4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.

TiredGamer4d ago

Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.

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310°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by [REDACTED] Direct Airs June 9

- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.

Read Full Story >>
news.xbox.com
bionicstar5d ago

Will they show Fable 4, Stalker 2, GoW 6 & Perfect Dark?

PhillyDonJawn5d ago

Crossing fingers for Fable and perfect dark. And State of Decay 3

RaidenBlack5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG

Sonic18815d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast5d ago

Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming.

5d ago
Lightning775d ago

It's an Xbox showcase that they have every year.

Make smarter comments for once.

anast5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Tell me what a smarter comment is.

If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.

InUrFoxHole4d ago

@Anast
Anything you didn't type. Good day sir!

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5d ago Replies(1)
Lightning775d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Wow too easy.

You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.

Which one is it?

Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.

5d ago
anast4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."

It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.

Lightning774d ago

It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.

The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.

anast4d ago

You don't know what a smart comment is or isn't. You're welcome for the help.

Lightning774d ago

No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.

Again make smart comments for once.

anast4d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4d ago
darthv725d ago

Wonder if they will address the handheld rumors....?

jimb0j0nes5d ago

For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!

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290°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7210d ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle9d ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic18819d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio9d ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning779d ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga9d ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv729d ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19928d ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff21839d ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga9d ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan9d ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit9d ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus239d ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv729d ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier8d ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

itsmebryan8d ago

@chevalier

It looks like made a great purchase. Much better then Sony buying Bungie. 😉
Cheers

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 8d ago
purple1019d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos9d ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-9d ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac9d ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1019d ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic9d ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead9d ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

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