July 15, 2004 9:38 AM PDT
Xbox Live roster hits 1 million
Microsoft announced on Thursday that it now has more than a million subscribers for Xbox Live, the online gaming service for the company's video game console. Microsoft launched Xbox Live in late 2002 as a high-stakes bid to reshape the game industry and to distinguish its console.
While the service is primarily designed for game-playing, it also includes voice and video capabilities and is considered a major part of Microsoft's plans to take over the digital living room. Microsoft cleared a significant hurdle to Xbox Live adoption earlier this year when it recruited leading game publisher Electronic Arts, which had objected to Microsoft's business model for the service.
Dell Inspiron 1420 $649
I can't wait for the EA sports line to show up there although it is too bad that MS had to give the development of their own game software to get EA onboard.
Don't waste your money.
and CONKER LIVE AND RELOADED... another million subscribers are sure to jump on the bandwagon even quicker!
Go MS! XBOX, WE LOVE YOU!
This entire industry needs to recognize that eventually these National Game Networks will need to have a Local Server Platform providing Latency and Jitter free Broadband Links to realize the potential of these Interactive Services.
Local Service provider own amnage and bill for the Last Mile Broadband Links today and these National MMMPG firms can maximize their revenue (and control via partnership contracts) by working with the Locals who will maintain and support local Platforms.
All the National guys need provide is the Intellectual Property (Server Platform) and their Tech Support and realize far better revenues from Subscription and Pay per Play revenue sharing deals.
Most Local Service providers (like my firm) have a Dual Home (45Mbps) Tier #1 Link (AT&T and Sprint) that would also allow our local Subs to gain access to the National Network provider as well.
These Central Store Game (Java) based Platforms like RealNets Arcade are a waste.
Hello SOny and Microsoft..