XBOX360 LIVE FAQ

Will the Xbox360 have it's own version of Xbox Live?
Not really. The Xbox360 console itself will have different Live features available than the Xbox 1 but it is still the same service.

How can I transfer my Xbox Live account to the Xbox360?
Accounts created on a current gen Xbox can be transfered to the Xbox360 using the MS passport service on the official Xbox website. Accounts created on an Xbox360 however cannot be transfered to a current gen Xbox.

If I create an Xbox Live Gold account on my Xbox360 can I use it on a current gen Xbox?
No, The official word from MS is: "Existing Xbox Live account will be compatible with Xbox 360, but first-time Xbox Live signups created on Xbox 360 are not backwards compatible with the original Xbox."

If I'm playing a current gen Xbox game on Live with an Xbox360 can I play against people playing the same game on Live with a current gen Xbox?
Yes.

How much will Xbox Live cost when the Xbox360 is launched?
There will be two versions of Xbox Live, Silver and Gold. Silver will be free, and Gold will cost the same as Xbox Live does now ($50 a year).

If I have Xbox Live now what will happen when the Xbox360 comes out?
Your Xbox Live account will automatically turn into an Xbox Live Gold Account.

Will my Gamertag and Friends List be available on the Xbox360?
Yes all that information is on the XBL server and will be carried over automatically.

What's the Difference between the Silver and Gold versions of Xbox live?
The Silver version allows you to use all of Lives features except for online multiplayer and other features that require online multiplayer abilities (tournaments, rankings etc.). Gold offers everything that silver does and also allows you play online multiplayer and the other features that come along with that. For a more in-depth comparison: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/onlinespecs.htm

What About MMO games like WOW and FFXI, will I have to pay for Live AND the individual game's subscription fees?
NO. The free Silver version of Live will allow you to subscribe to MMO games with their own fees. So you will NOT have to pay for both the Gold version of Live and your MMO game at the same time unless you want to.

Becides online multiplayer features what other kinds of features will the new live have?
Text Messaging, Voice Messaging, Video Messaging, Voice Chat, Video Chat, Downloadable Content, Live Marketplace, Live Arcade, etc. For a more in-depth list: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/onlinespecs.htm

Do I need a credit card to sign up for Xbox Live?
No. For the Current iteration of Xbox Live you need a credit card to sign up for Xbox Live, however when the Gold/Silver leveled version of Xbox Live launches with the Xbox 360 you will not need a credit card to sign up.
[Read More Here: http://www.xboxsolution.com/article1717.html ]

Will Live subscription cards be stackable?
Yes. For example with Xbox Live Gold If you have a 12 month subscription and you add a 3 month subscription you will then have a total of 15 months of live.

What games will use Xbox Live?
Technically all games will be at very least "Live aware" meaning that at any time during a game you will be able to use and access most if not all of Xbox Live's features such as sending and receiving messages, sending and receiving game invitations, visiting the market place, etc.

How do I access these Xbox Live features while I'm in the game?
The new Xbox360 controllers feature a new "Xbox Guide" button. This button looks like the Xbox360 logo and will allow you to access the Xbox Guide (the dashboard) at any time. The Button also has a circular light around it that will change colors to alert you about new messages or game invites.

Will my game pause when I push the Xbox Guide button?
Sometimes, MS has said that they will be leaving this sort of thing up to the individual game developers.

I've heard that we will be able to download games through Xbox Live, what's the deal with this?
Not much information has been released on this topic, we know for sure that MS has partnered with some very powerful broadband content delivery services. Based on survey questions it would seem that MS is planning on possibly delivering fully featured Xbox and Xbox360 titles through broadband. This would mean actual games (NOT little Live Arcade type games). The idea is the Xbox360 would stream the game content as you need it (so instead of "loading" you'd have "downloading"). There are rumors that if this service becomes available it will be at a cost of $30 a month and allow access to a very large catalog of Xbox titles (everything but new/recent releases).

Will the Xbox360 come with a Communicator/Headset?
Yes, however the Xbox360 does not need a Communicator type dongle, the headset plugs directly into the controller.


Is the headset wired or wireless?
The version that comes with the Xbox360 will be wired, shortly after the Xbox360's launch there will be an official wireless headset available.

What's the difference between the Xbox 1 headset and the new headset?
There are many differences:
-Over the head design as opposed to behind the head
-White/Grey in color as opposed to Black/Green
-The Communicator "dongle" is no longer needed (headset plugs directly into the bottom of the controller)
-Volume and Mute are located on the wire that connects the headset to the Controller. (it is unknown how this will work for the wireless version)
-The new head set features noise cancellation to allow for clearer communication.

Will I be able to use my own headset?
Yes, the Xbox 360 controllers will accecpt any cellphone type headset, as the headset port features a standard 1/8" jack. If your particular headset doesn't offer a mute or volume control. The volume level will be adjustable through the Xbox guide.

What games and Accessories will be available with the new Xbox Live starter kits?
The new Xbox Live Gold starter kits will not come with a game, they will however come with a mail in rebate good for any Xbox360 title. The 3 month starter kit will feature a $10 mail in rebate and the 1 year starter kit will feature a $20 mail in rebate. Each starter kit will also provide you with an Xbox Live Arcade Game, 100 and 200 Xbox Live Market place points respectively (good for purchasing new game content) and an Xbox live headset.

How does Xbox Live support Video Chat?
There will be an optional USB Web Cam. The Camera is called "Vision" and will become availble in the Spring of 2006

*Note the above image is no longer what the web cam looks like

What are the Camera's specs?
- 640x480 video at 30FPS
- 1.3 Mega-pixel still photos
- Microphone support (plugs into controller)

What other things will the camera be used for?
In addition to video messaging and video chat, the camera can be used by games for various features, or as a controller, Also the camera can be used to take still photos for viewing on the Xbox360 or to put your own face in certain games.

Sources:
http://news.teamxbox.com/
http://www.xbox.com/
http://www.xbox360.com/

If anything really important is missing or if anything is incorrect please let me know and I'll make appropriate changes. Enjoy

Thanks TS. That was very helpful.
I have a question and it's not directly Xbox Live related.

Do you know if we can use a USB keyboard &/or mouse for text chat, etc.
Meaning, we will use the standard controller for gameplay, but can we keep the keyboard or mouse connected to the USB ports for extra options or flexibility?
It's kinda redundant with the voice options and also I know it's theoretically possible, but I wonder if it will be supported on Live or games.

Thanks and sorry if this has been brought up before.

Well It has been stated that MS will support keyboard and mouse this time around, however they have not given any hints as whether or not the Xbox Guide can make use of those peripherals.

Looking at the MS online specs (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/onlinespecs.htm) they go out of their way to NOT list text chat. They only list text messaging yet they explicitly list voice chat and video chat. I imagine text chat will not be available at launch, and If I were a betting man I would put money on that being because they wont have keyboard support in the Xbox Guide.

Though the nice thing about any of this stuff is that at anytime MS could release an update and add in that functionality. So if it's something you really want, kick and scream and see if MS listens... you could try commenting on Major Nelson's Blog (http://www.majornelson.com/) At very least you might get a direct answer.

im sure i read somewhere that keyboards can be used for text entry in the dash but not in games.

It's possible but I don't remember ever reading anything one way or another

the video thing kinda scaries me, well i might play with my monkey mask on and scary people off. i just could image playing halo 3 after beating the shit out of some nubs and them seeing a monkey ahaah

What I think would be really cool for co-op over the internet is if when you talked your partner(s) would see a little box on their screen with the video of you... sort of like StarFox

That would be truely great... Even in slayer halo games, killing someone and then moonying them

Any Chance of a sticky?

I believe with the maturity level of the xbox-live users, the camera function can best be summed up in this Penny-arcade strip....
http://penny-arcade.com/view.php3?date=2005-03-14&res=l

heh I love that one

Great indepth faq help me out with alot of my questions

yeah that would be cool, seeing the faces on your enemies after you own them in halo3

oh yeah, TS thanks for info, that really helped me out.

Camera Shmamera.
Why would I want people to see me? It makes no sense...????

I don't need or want or drool for the video thingy..

YOU GUYS BETTER NOT SHOW YOUR BALLS!!!!!!

I know I won't use the camera, I mean hey, how am I supposed to play halo naked anymore?

How much money will the camera be ?

The price of the camera hasn't been announced yet

update the FAQ with new info from the leaked MS panflet

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=436795

Not sure if this ? has been asked yet...

I have not used xbox live on the xbox1 but someone gave me a gold membership card package with 1yr subscription, headset and the works for the current generation. If I don't currently have access to a xbox but plan to purchase the 360 will I be able to activate this membership on the 360, or do I have to use it first on the xbox1 then transfer it?

good news because i dont have acredit card. so does this mean that this system kind off works like apre paud cell phone kind off like virgin mobile. so i can just stock up. like lets say i buy a 12 month subscription card and then i get a 4 month subscription card for my birthday or from a freind could i "top up" my service so to say and i would have 16 months of live. isn't it cheaper just to buy a 12month prepaid card then to pay per month trhough a credit card?

Does the camera make things a little, well, wrong?

Imagine Mr 40 years old ILOVEKIDS.

"Now how can I get to see millions of kids and talk to them while looking at them through a 3 mega pixel camera?

I know I'll sign in on live and play a kiddys game online and befriend some children by using the voice masking and predenting ot be 12. M$ makes my life so easy. "

Well - if the pervs do find their way onto Live, we'd get a chance to kick their sorry asses in Halo!
Nah, seriously, I'm sure M$ has already thought of this "issue". Maybe they're thinking of some kind of random/stealth video surveillance, where M$-employes go on Live to hunt down sleezballs.

Also keep in mind, you need to have a gamertag to go on Live, so it's not like people can sign-on and remain completely anonymous.

Ever heard of credit card fraud? Plus you don't need a card to sign up for live on the 360.



Isn't that kind of illigal? Also M$ doesn't have the right to do that in many countries.

The evil will be allowed to endure.

That's like saying moderating a forum is illegal. All he said Ms might do is go around and play games and look for potential people who could be doing stupid shit.



Can they hire me?!

Yea, the FBI has a program like that for chat rooms.

Better stop using P2P programmed to get software then.

can you imagine? cam whores playing xbox live

Can someone answer this? I have the same thing, unused xbox live membership 12 month that hasn't yet been used and don't have an xbox anymore...thx

the camera is just to get us used to being watched.. you know.. big brother and what not.. im not paranoid.. really im not

I wanna know if my unused live subscription for current xbox will work on xbox 360

Cool read, when the webcam comes out will you also be able to plug it in your PC (meaning becase it's USB?) and will it work?

Thanks for the FAQ, if I get an X360 round the time of Halo3 I might get a Gold Live account, it's just the price that discourages me. It's why I never got Live on the original Xbox, I mean you can play most games for free online on the PC. That's just imho though, even though it does seem cheap. Maybe it's cause of all the features or something I don't know.

Ok my question is this, if I pay for a year of xbox live, and register it on my xbox 1, will I be able to transfer it to my 360 and still have access to it on my xbox 1? In other words will I be able to use the same live account on both systems? I ask this because I was about to buy steel battalion loc of ebay and that doesn't work on the 360.

yes you can do that

BUT you must register using your Xbox 1. If you create it on an Xbox 360 then it can only be used on an Xbox 360.

You should really title this thread "Xbox360 Live FAQ." As is, it looks like Xbox360 Live Fag.

just bought a 360.. can i connect to xbox live with my dial-up connection on my pc? btw, this site is amazing.. thnx alot..

why are there always connection problem?

Is there any way to earn Microsoft Points so I could say purchase Lumines or do I need to actually buy the cards to get those points?

Hi I recently purchased xbox360 and the box states it comes with a free 1 mth gold svc... Prob is how do I go about activating this ?

I log on to Live and see I am still on Silver... =(

Fyi, I bought the box which comes with Forza2 motorsport and Viva Pinata..

im thinking about gettin xbox live but i was wondering if i can get it using wireless internet?

Yes. You'll need the wireless dongle, tho.