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What Xbox Live Needs Is...
editorial
game: Xbox Live
posted by: Shawn Rider
publisher: Microsoft
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date posted: 10:58 AM Sun Mar 5th, 2006
last revision: 05:02 PM Sat Mar 4th, 2006


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Click to read.Xbox Live is the best online console gaming service so far. Actually, at the moment it\'s the only one of its kind. Many folks have discussed whether or not Sony and Nintendo can compete with Microsoft\'s well-established gaming service.

Nintendo has made clear that it will follow its heart and handle its online services in its own unique way. Of course, we\'ve only seen a small glimpse of what Nintendo has in mind for their full-blown Revolution service. We know users will be able to purchase and download games from previous Nintendo systems, and general online multiplayer is a given. But how deep leaderboards, media content offerings, and friends systems will go is still a mystery that Nintendo will likely protect until closer to Revolution\'s launch.

Sony has been a less known quantity, recently reporting their commitment to creating a centralized online gaming service called HUB. Not much is known about HUB so far, but it appears the service will be very similar to Xbox Live. Access to media downloads and content sales will be available for all PlayStation 3 owners, and for a fee users will gain access to a Sony-supported online gaming network.

While the argument can be made that Nintendo doesn\'t truly compete with anyone else, Sony at least is directly competing with Xbox Live, and that is no small threat. Of course, from the Xbox Live point of view, it might not look like there\'s a lot to improve: Aside from occasional issues, the system is very much the most pleasant online gaming service we\'ve every used. But there is still room for improvement.

Following are three things we\'d love to see in future updates to Xbox Live.


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