Xbox 360 owners looking to socialize and play online can log on to Microsoft's Xbox Live service. You will need a hard disk and a broadband Internet connection for your console before jumping online.
Microsoft currently offers a free Xbox Live Silver service and a premium Xbox Live Gold service. Both subscription levels allow users to create personalized gamer profiles and maintain friends lists, but the Gold level gives players access to online multiplayer games. The Silver service is just fine for people who enjoy the single-player or living room multiplayer experience and don't need to play online.
Players can create their own Xbox Live profiles by entering a unique "gamertag" username and selecting an avatar image. Players can then add each other to their friends lists to exchange messages and keep track of what everyone is playing. The online communication options include text messaging, voice chat, and even video chat for Gold subscribers who have headsets and the optional Xbox Live Vision camera accessory.
Xbox Live subscribers also get access to downloadable demos, arcade games, and even movies and television shows through the Xbox Live Marketplace. Game demos and video trailers are usually free to download, but premium content such as Xbox Live arcade games and movies will cost extra. Users can buy these downloads using Xbox Live's Microsoft points currency. Players can purchase Microsoft points with a credit card or with prepaid cards sold at retail. Both Gold and Silver subscribers can access the Xbox Live Marketplace, but Microsoft has in the past given Gold subscribers early access to highly anticipated content.
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