Xbox Live is a subscription-based online gaming service for Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 video game consoles. It went online on November 15, 2002 and allows players to play games with or against other Xbox Live players from around the world.

Advantages of Xbox live:

• Everybody is on a level playing field when compared to pc games where some people have better systems than others giving them an advantage. Because everyone has the same system, it is a level playing field.
• A headset is supplied as standard and most people talk in game, unlike a lot of pc games. So teamwork is a lot easier.
• Users can play games online against people from all over the world from the comfort of their own living rooms.

Disadvantages:

• It is not currently possible to play cross-consoles or against a pc.  However this may change when the new Xbox 360 is released.
• A high-speed broadband connection is a minimum requirement.
• Because of the voice utility, it is possible for some users to scream abuse down the microphone, although should this happen a built in 'mute' facility can be used.

Here is some footage that I have captured. It is from the award winning game: Halo 2, it shows the online multi player aspect of the game. Click the 'play' button to view the feature.

Click next to find out how ICT has affected peoples lives...