Gaming
 

Xbox Live

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Xbox Live (trademarked as Xbox LIVE[1]) is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It was first made available to the Xbox video game console. An updated version of the service became available for the Xbox 360 console at that system's launch. The Windows Equivalent is Games for Windows - Live that makes certain aspects of the system available on Windows PCs. Microsoft has announced plans to extend Live to other platforms such as handhelds and mobile phones as part of the Live Anywhere initiative.[2]

Contents

History

As Microsoft developed the original Xbox console online gaming was designated as one of the key pillars for the greater Xbox stra "Xbox Ambassadors" are Xbox LIVE members who have been selected by Microsoft who have proven themselves to be helpful towards others and are willing to assist new Xbox LIVE users and answer any questions new Xbox LIVE users may have. Presently, there are ambassadors representing 18 different countries representing more than 30 different languages.[3]

Xbox Rewards was a promotion designed to provide gamers incentives to play on Xbox Live by subsidizing achievement points earned with actual rewards. Gamers were required to register for specific challenges which, if successfully completed, would yield a challenge-specific reward.[dead link]

Security

Microsoft implements a number of different security measures on its Xbox Live service. One of these takes the form of a proactive security check that assures that only unmodified machines may access their service. On May 17, 2007, Microsoft ceased permitting consoles with modified firmware from accessing Xbox Live. According to Microsoft, consoles with firmware of unknown origin, quality or intent were banned permanently from Xbox Live. A Microsoft representative indicated that the action was taken to assure "the integrity of the service and protect our partners and users."

Recently, some individuals have bypassed these firmware security checks using custom firmware (e.g., the iXtreme firmware) which prevents detection of alterations, effectively "stealthing" the modification. It is possible, however, that this is still detectable, and hence leaves open the possibility of future bans.[4]

It has been discovered that pretexting has been used to impersonate an Xbox Live user for the purposes of malfeasance. Microsoft has implemented greater security in an effort to decrease the service's susceptibility to social engineering.[5]

Availability

Xbox Live is currently available in over 30 countries and territories:[6]

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Colombia
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France

  • Germany
  • Gibraltar
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan

  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • Singapore
  • South Korea

  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Peru
  • Philippines

Live Anywhere

Template:Future software

Main article: Live Anywhere

Live Anywhere is an initiative by Microsoft to bring the Live online gaming and entertainment network to a wide variety of platforms and devices, including Xbox, Xbox 360, Windows PC's (XP & Vista), Windows Mobile and Java-based phones, Zune, and more.[7] The concept service for mobile devices has been demonstrated at E3 and the Consumer Electronics Show on a Motorola Q mobile phone.[8]

Microsoft's Chris Early clarified that Live Anywhere is a long-term project expected to be rolled out over several years.[9]


References

  1. ↑ "Microsoft Trademarks" (2007-12-13). Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  2. ↑ "Imagine A Live Anywhere!" (2007-01-12). Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  3. ↑ "Xbox Ambassadors on Xbox LIVE". Xbox.com. Microsoft. Retrieved on 2008-08-14.
  4. ↑ "Xbox-Scene News: iXtreme firmware 1.0 for TS-H943 Xbox 360". xbox-scene.com (2007-05-29). Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  5. ↑ Hryb, Larry (2007-03-23). "Xbox Live Security Update - Xbox Live's Major Nelson". majornelson.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
  6. ↑ "Countries with LIVE Service". Xbox.com. Microsoft (2007-05-09). Retrieved on 2008-10-01.
  7. ↑ Jason Cross (2006-05-10). "The Skinny on Microsoft's Live Anywhere Service". ExtremeTech. Retrieved on 2008-08-16.
  8. ↑ "Exclusive: Live Anywhere". Eurogamer (2006-05-22). Retrieved on 2008-08-16.
  9. ↑ Jason Dobson (2006-05-18). "Gamasutra - Q&A: Chris Early Breaks Down Microsoft Live Anywhere". Gamasutra. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.

External links

Retrieved from "http://xbox.wikia.com/wiki/Xbox_Live#Gamerscore"