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I’d like to get in on Xbox live for games like Ghost Recon and Rainbow 6 but my machine is modded and as I understand it, I’d be locked out. It also depends on whether they go through Telstra Game Arena for me (Apparently sony is but only Socom I and II and THUG interest me so I don’t think its worth it yet). I have thought about picking up another Xbox when the price drops to less than $199, especially if it were bundled with Live. There is also Game Tunnel for playing system link titles online but I haven’t looked at that option too much yet.

(I’m leaning that way rather than spending $60 for a PS2 adapter as only the only PS2 online exclusive I’m interested in is THUG.

As for cheating. There are many stories from the US, the most famous being the pause trick on games like Madden 2003. Apparently, the person who disconnetcs first is declared the loser so what some people do is pause the game when they are likley to lose a game. The other player has no option but to either wait it out or quit. He they chooses the latter option, they automatically lose the game.

At least thats not what you’d consider cheating. Its more of an exploit being used by the same sort of people you’d see using a cheat if they could. The main advantage with the console system (in theory at least) is the fact that MS will not hesitate in banning serial numbers from the service.. requiring a new Xbox to get back online. I can’t claim that I know the in’s and out’s of it, but they were head strong on the whole cheating debacle when the Live service first emerged, and rest assured they will take a stand against it.

I was going to mod my box and load up linux on it, throw in a bigger HDD and use it as a DivX box. It just gathers dust as it is now, although I still admire it as a great peice of kit (got rid of my PS2 when Xbox arrived) and would love to see it put to good use. I plan on giving Live a good run in when it hits our shores officially (Didnt bother with the US version) and if it appeals to me.. Ill pick up another box for the DivX/VCD side of things and use my 12months up on Live.

See where it goes from there.

The cheating isn’t something im overly concerned about, which is pretty rare when it comes to any form of online entertainment. Lets just hope they stick to their plan to make it a cheat free gaming environment.

One day eh boys… One day.

:)

The teamwarfare league for Ghost Recon is yet to kick off. http://www.teamwarfare.com/…

As for that pause problem.. Surely they could replace Pause with Time Out (limit it to 3 mins, enuff time to go to the lav) so you can continue the game. Is there the ability to patch live titles. I know there are additional maps and things for download across the net. As for having modded an Xbox. I staved off that path on the off chance that it would not allow live to happen. Even though the thought of a bigger HDD is luring me in.. Esp if LIVE is going to allow large amounts of DL.

I just hope the gamer on the other end, in some other lounge room is swearing abuse down the line. I mean consoles are lounge room toys. Hopefully it makes for intelligent gamers. I find Ghost Recon online players are extremely kind as it is on PC. Still can’t get the knack of FPS on console, (I’m not brilliant on PC by any tick of the clock), but I’ve got a few months to train up on that.

Well the prospects of Live have me excited. I just a have to get an extension cord to run from my Optus cable modem to the Lounge room.

I don’t think gamers should be that excited about Microsoft exercising a dictatorial anti-cheat policy for XBox Live. Cheating is much better tackled by a community who can innovate than by a faceless beareacracy who, lets face it, have an absymal track record when it comes to preventing viruses and worms in their software platforms.

As for Damo’s comment..

"got rid of my PS2 when Xbox arrived"

Guess you were tired of having so many cool games to choose from right?

Sorry, but console fanboys shit me to tears.. I’m far more concerned with the games I can actually *play* rather than the specs of the box sitting under the telly!

Didn’t mention anything about specs. And I think Xbox, since I have purchased it, has games that remind me more of my beloved Nintendo (Gameplay wise) then the darn PS2. But I wasn’t starting a console war. The PS2 also has online capabilities as did the Dreamcast. I’m just after peoples opinions on the online experience. Cheating was only a small part of the question. Now in 150 words or less tell me your opinion when it comes to playing online games.

Sorry, but PC fanboys shit me to tears.. I’m far more concerned with the games I can actually *play* rather than the specs of the box sitting under the desk!

Not a fanboy by any means, however, if anything the PS console itself was shitting me to tears. At the time DVD playback was important, and wasn’t cutting the cheese. The games.. whilst expansive weren’t floating my boat.

Even though the Xbox is just building up dust at the moment.. the PS2 was even more the case when I had it.. and I have never looked back on the change of sides I made.

The PS1 was great in its day, I played that until I was up for new controls. I loved it. Same went for the N64 (Anyone remember cleaning out the salt that built up on the analog stick?) ;)

Overall, Im far more impressed with what the Xbox is capable of than what the PS2 is. I have no real love for either side. Sony, and more specifically SOE are some of the shonkiest bastards you see in the game. Microsoft are even worse.

Its more a hunger for the technology if anything.. but don’t for a moment think im a console fanboy. My PC gets alot more attention and money thrown at it than any console ever had a chance of getting.

So if anything.. call me a PC fanboy.. because you’d be right.

Oh and stitch.. Sorry for bringing the tears

;)

At the risk of getting back on topic, I imported a US Live kit from Singapore about 4 months ago. While I haven’t spent a great deal of time on line (the majority being on MotoGP2) the experience I’ve had has been nothing short of outstanding, even with the higher pings from Oz to the US/Europe. 16 players online with voice capability in lag free, close racing is an unmatched gaming experience for me. Online rankings system so you can see how good (or bad) you are is another nice touch.

There is a small number of dickheads around but the vast majority of gamers I’ve met have been very pleasant to talk to and the trash talk is usually limited to the friendly variety and rarely gets nasty.

Cheating is almost a non-issue. As someone correctly stated, MS does screen for modchips and will ban any they find primarily for copyright/piracy concerns I believe, but it also stops cheaters. For those thinking about modding, a simple switch so the box boots as standard will solve your probs for XBL but may make it difficult to install a larger HDD.

MS is also launching XSN this month which is a Live sports service that will track stats on MS sports titles (Links and Top spin are looking real good) and allow for leagues and tournaments to be created by players and the like. looking great.

If you are contemplating an xbox or XBL I heartily recommend it. I dont think Sony’s offering will even hold a candle to the integrated service MS has created.

Sorry for the long post :)

Cool.. I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about GP2 online. I hear so far it is the most popular of the Live titles. Am I far off in saying this.. Has a racing game beaten out those FPS’s out there?

Probably not far off Shane. I think it would be the GP1/demo that is actually the most popular because of it being bundled with the Live kit, but I’m pretty sure RTCW (havent played it yet) would be right up there and when CS hits the box (how good will that be - no cheaters) later in the year it’s a fair bet that it will become instant king of Live simply because of its online PC popularity. That’ll be followed by Halo 2 early 2004 so it’s reasonable to assume that if they aint atm, FPS’s will be right at the top of the Live service soon enough.

The surprise packet might come from the sports titles with XSN launching, and some great sports titles in the wings. Also keep an eye out for Crimson Skies (action flight sim), and of course V8 Supercars Live. That is absolutely gonna rock in Oz/NZ - 12 players live at Bathurst *drool*.

I love the Crimson Skies game released on PC. I played that and then some.. Even the fiddlye little levels where you have to fly insanely through and around stuff. It is really quite cool. Hope it translates well.

I hear that Area51 is also going to be network. Check it out http://www.thearea51.net