Xbox Live Enhancements

[PricklyPete]

Ok, let me preface this with the fact that I'm a huge fan of Xbox Live. After dicking around with the Playstation Network, I can confidently say that MS has a sizeable lead in terms of quality of service, features, and integration into games. I love that at anytime during a game I can click the Live button on my controller and see who is online, if I have any messages, etc. I love seeing when my friends get online with the small alert messages. I love being able to invite any of my friends into games I'm playing with just a couple button clicks. It really is fantastic once you learn all of the features. All of that being said...I do feel like there is room to improve. Here is my list of changes I'd love to see:

1) I want to have a Private Voice Chat with more than one person. I want to be able to have 3 or 4 of my good friends in the same voice chat room without having to hear all the clatter from the other players. This feature would allow for a more "lan party" like experience without actually having a lan party.

2) Better text input options. Maybe predictive text like we have in cell phones or possibly speech recognition (although this may take more resources than available to the system...I'm not interested in a performance hit). I'll be interested in how the controller keyboard will work...but it still would have to have some additional aids. I'm not interested in plugging a keyboard into the USB port and having a keyboard laying around in my living room.

3) A staging area for starting games that would allow friends to talk amongst themselves and vote on a game, pick a host, and give a visual indication of when everyone has the game loaded and ready (although the host could start up at anytime). This would just make playing with a group of friends at a given time easier instead of the mess of trying to figure out what game all of you want to play. Obviously just having the Private Voice Chat extended to more than 2 players would help out on this alone.

4) Make a free version of the service that allows online gameplay. Maybe one that makes you watch a commercial every once in a while (at key moments like when you start it up...or prior to starting up an Xbox Live game. I know it would be somewhat of a nuisance...but you always have the option to pay.


I'm sure I'll think of more over time. The service is great...but I can't wait to see what else they have in store...

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

1) I want to have a Private Voice Chat with more than one person. I want to be able to have 3 or 4 of my good friends in the same voice chat room without having to hear all the clatter from the other players. This feature would allow for a more "lan party" like experience without actually having a lan party.

Same here! I'm tired of having 2-3 private chats going with 3 people. I want everyone in the same chat! We normally just start up a game and chat in the lobby to bypass this for now.

2) Better text input options. Maybe predictive text like we have in cell phones or possibly speech recognition (although this may take more resources than available to the system...I'm not interested in a performance hit). I'll be interested in how the controller keyboard will work...but it still would have to have some additional aids. I'm not interested in plugging a keyboard into the USB port and having a keyboard laying around in my living room.

I've always had this issue. But I'll be picking up the keyboard attachment when it's out and I think that will solve my problems.

3) A staging area for starting games that would allow friends to talk amongst themselves and vote on a game, pick a host, and give a visual indication of when everyone has the game loaded and ready (although the host could start up at anytime). This would just make playing with a group of friends at a given time easier instead of the mess of trying to figure out what game all of you want to play. Obviously just having the Private Voice Chat extended to more than 2 players would help out on this alone.

I also think multiple-person private chat would fix this issue. But then again a lot of these features should be incorporated into the games themselves, not necessarily Xbox live.

4) Make a free version of the service that allows online gameplay. Maybe one that makes you watch a commercial every once in a while (at key moments like when you start it up...or prior to starting up an Xbox Live game. I know it would be somewhat of a nuisance...but you always have the option to pay.

Don't really like this idea too much, Live is worth paying for so long as they keep improving/updating things.

I would like to see them allow messages to be forwarded like an email (with history). There are times when I receive a funny message and would like to forward it to someone else. I could share one with you guys but I don't it would be appropriate to post it here

I'd like to also see the dashboard response time improved. It is great, but has always felt a bit too laggy for me during games.

I"ll post more as I remember of some more of my ideas

 

[bucwylde23]

Oh yeah, they need to fix the voice message "status bar". I don't know a better word for it, but the progress bar doesn't indicate the correct amount of time left for your voice messages (at least for me it doesn't) At around 60% of the status bar, the voice message limit is hit.

 

[mlm]

I just wish there were household accounts or something. If I want to go online (granted, that's rare), I have to use the bf's account cause mine is only Silver. I'm never going to upgrade to Gold myself because I refuse to pay for online play.

 

[EvilComputer92]

Originally posted by: chrisg22
Oh yeah, they need to fix the voice message "status bar". I don't know a better word for it, but the progress bar doesn't indicate the correct amount of time left for your voice messages (at least for me it doesn't) At around 60% of the status bar, the voice message limit is hit.

Yeah, I never got what was up with that. Also, has anyone felt as if the quality of the voice has gotten worse since the original Xbox? Is the headset just crappy or is it because I'm on a wireless controller?

 

[tatteredpotato]

I'd like them to let me use the Messenger sometime. I was under 18 when I signed up for Live, and now it still has me as a "child" account and doesn't give me access to Messenger or ads.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
I'd like them to let me use the Messenger sometime. I was under 18 when I signed up for Live, and now it still has me as a "child" account and doesn't give me access to Messenger or ads.

Messenger is only for the big boys, now enjoy your happy meal.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
I'd like them to let me use the Messenger sometime. I was under 18 when I signed up for Live, and now it still has me as a "child" account and doesn't give me access to Messenger or ads.

Messenger is only for the big boys, now enjoy your happy meal.

Well my gripe is that I'm over 18 and Microsoft still won't let me use it.

 

[xdreadpiratedoug]

I want a browser ... seriously, give me a browser since they're implementing the thumbpad.

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
I'd like them to let me use the Messenger sometime. I was under 18 when I signed up for Live, and now it still has me as a "child" account and doesn't give me access to Messenger or ads.

Messenger is only for the big boys, now enjoy your happy meal.

Well my gripe is that I'm over 18 and Microsoft still won't let me use it.

Aren't they working on fixing that? I remember there being a big fuss when the last update went out.

 

[Yreka]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Ok, let me preface this with the fact that I'm a huge fan of Xbox Live. After dicking around with the Playstation Network, I can confidently say that MS has a sizeable lead in terms of quality of service, features, and integration into games. I love that at anytime during a game I can click the Live button on my controller and see who is online, if I have any messages, etc. I love seeing when my friends get online with the small alert messages. I love being able to invite any of my friends into games I'm playing with just a couple button clicks. It really is fantastic once you learn all of the features. All of that being said...I do feel like there is room to improve. Here is my list of changes I'd love to see:

1) I want to have a Private Voice Chat with more than one person. I want to be able to have 3 or 4 of my good friends in the same voice chat room without having to hear all the clatter from the other players. This feature would allow for a more "lan party" like experience without actually having a lan party.

2) Better text input options. Maybe predictive text like we have in cell phones or possibly speech recognition (although this may take more resources than available to the system...I'm not interested in a performance hit). I'll be interested in how the controller keyboard will work...but it still would have to have some additional aids. I'm not interested in plugging a keyboard into the USB port and having a keyboard laying around in my living room.

3) A staging area for starting games that would allow friends to talk amongst themselves and vote on a game, pick a host, and give a visual indication of when everyone has the game loaded and ready (although the host could start up at anytime). This would just make playing with a group of friends at a given time easier instead of the mess of trying to figure out what game all of you want to play. Obviously just having the Private Voice Chat extended to more than 2 players would help out on this alone.

4) Make a free version of the service that allows online gameplay. Maybe one that makes you watch a commercial every once in a while (at key moments like when you start it up...or prior to starting up an Xbox Live game. I know it would be somewhat of a nuisance...but you always have the option to pay.


I'm sure I'll think of more over time. The service is great...but I can't wait to see what else they have in store...

Great ideas.. I could live without 4, I think gold membership is reasonable.

It would be a helluva kick in the teeth to Sony though. Pretty much all they have going for them is "free" when comparing online portals.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Yreka

It would be a helluva kick in the teeth to Sony though. Pretty much all they have going for them is "free" when comparing online portals.

I agree and that is why I'm suggesting it. I would much rather pay the $50, but making a version of it ad based you broaden the market. I'd still be paying my $50 for the optimal experience. If they did something like this, they could have Gold paying members get the newest demos and videos first to help with bandwidth issues and let the Silver/ad based users get it after the initial rush. It will make paying the extra $50 much more worth it and a nicer service for Gold members.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
I want a browser ... seriously, give me a browser since they're implementing the thumbpad.

Would be nice...but honestly I don't want to open my system to all the potential viruses, spyware, etc. No browser has ever been secure no matter how much you strip it down...

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
1) I want to have a Private Voice Chat with more than one person. I want to be able to have 3 or 4 of my good friends in the same voice chat room without having to hear all the clatter from the other players. This feature would allow for a more "lan party" like experience without actually having a lan party.

I would make many more arrangements to play with my friends if this feature existed. Great idea.

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: Yreka

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
4) Make a free version of the service that allows online gameplay. Maybe one that makes you watch a commercial every once in a while (at key moments like when you start it up...or prior to starting up an Xbox Live game. I know it would be somewhat of a nuisance...but you always have the option to pay.


I'm sure I'll think of more over time. The service is great...but I can't wait to see what else they have in store...

Great ideas.. I could live without 4, I think gold membership is reasonable.

It would be a helluva kick in the teeth to Sony though. Pretty much all they have going for them is "free" when comparing online portals.

That's assuming that Sony will never offer similar services. They've already begun to phase in the key features that most people complain about. Once Home hits, it should be the standard.

 

[Yreka]

Originally posted by: mlm

Originally posted by: Yreka

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
4) Make a free version of the service that allows online gameplay. Maybe one that makes you watch a commercial every once in a while (at key moments like when you start it up...or prior to starting up an Xbox Live game. I know it would be somewhat of a nuisance...but you always have the option to pay.


I'm sure I'll think of more over time. The service is great...but I can't wait to see what else they have in store...

Great ideas.. I could live without 4, I think gold membership is reasonable.

It would be a helluva kick in the teeth to Sony though. Pretty much all they have going for them is "free" when comparing online portals.

That's assuming that Sony will never offer similar services. They've already begun to phase in the key features that most people complain about. Once Home hits, it should be the standard.

Yeah, speaking in the present tense of course. I am really looking forward to home as well, especially for the achievement system..

Achievements really add another element to the games for me.. While I wouldn't consider myself an "Achievement Whore", I do find myself going back to older games to see if there are any other reasonable goals to shoot for.

The fact that in Home the achievements will be like trophies, instead of an arbitrary points score sounds cool too.. I"m envisioning the "Crib" from NFL2K5.

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: Yreka

Originally posted by: mlm

Originally posted by: Yreka

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
4) Make a free version of the service that allows online gameplay. Maybe one that makes you watch a commercial every once in a while (at key moments like when you start it up...or prior to starting up an Xbox Live game. I know it would be somewhat of a nuisance...but you always have the option to pay.


I'm sure I'll think of more over time. The service is great...but I can't wait to see what else they have in store...

Great ideas.. I could live without 4, I think gold membership is reasonable.

It would be a helluva kick in the teeth to Sony though. Pretty much all they have going for them is "free" when comparing online portals.

That's assuming that Sony will never offer similar services. They've already begun to phase in the key features that most people complain about. Once Home hits, it should be the standard.

Yeah, speaking in the present tense of course. I am really looking forward to home as well, especially for the achievement system..

Achievements really add another element to the games for me.. While I wouldn't consider myself an "Achievement Whore", I do find myself going back to older games to see if there are any other reasonable goals to shoot for.

The fact that in Home the achievements will be like trophies, instead of an arbitrary points score sounds cool too.. I"m envisioning the "Crib" from NFL2K5.

I couldn't care less about trophies--I want the Home currency :thumbsup:

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
4) Make a free version of the service that allows online gameplay. Maybe one that makes you watch a commercial every once in a while (at key moments like when you start it up...or prior to starting up an Xbox Live game. I know it would be somewhat of a nuisance...but you always have the option to pay.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that already exists in the Silver membership right? Just only allowed to play on weekends. I think that's a pretty good option.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
4) Make a free version of the service that allows online gameplay. Maybe one that makes you watch a commercial every once in a while (at key moments like when you start it up...or prior to starting up an Xbox Live game. I know it would be somewhat of a nuisance...but you always have the option to pay.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that already exists in the Silver membership right? Just only allowed to play on weekends. I think that's a pretty good option.

I think it's just special weekends where MS allows silver members to play online for free, I don't think it's all the time. I could be wrong also as I have been a gold subscriber for as long as i can remember

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
4) Make a free version of the service that allows online gameplay. Maybe one that makes you watch a commercial every once in a while (at key moments like when you start it up...or prior to starting up an Xbox Live game. I know it would be somewhat of a nuisance...but you always have the option to pay.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that already exists in the Silver membership right? Just only allowed to play on weekends. I think that's a pretty good option.

I think it's just special weekends where MS allows silver members to play online for free, I don't think it's all the time. I could be wrong also as I have been a gold subscriber for as long as i can remember

Oh, you're completely right, just looked it up. Had always thought it was every weekend. Doh! It's well worth it though. It's the price of one game for a year...hard not to be able to justify it.

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Oh, you're completely right, just looked it up. Had always thought it was every weekend. Doh! It's well worth it though. It's the price of one game for a year...hard not to be able to justify it.

It's okay if you have disposable income, but if one of the reasons you go for the 360 is because it's cheaper than the PS3, Gold totally invalidates that argument.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: mlm

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Oh, you're completely right, just looked it up. Had always thought it was every weekend. Doh! It's well worth it though. It's the price of one game for a year...hard not to be able to justify it.

It's okay if you have disposable income, but if one of the reasons you go for the 360 is because it's cheaper than the PS3, Gold totally invalidates that argument.

Gold doesn't invalidate that argument because it's a option. First off it's only $50 a year max, but you can always find deals over the course of the year to bring that down. Also only a couple million XBL users have gold, so obviously many feel that it's not worth the extra money.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: mlm
It's okay if you have disposable income, but if one of the reasons you go for the 360 is because it's cheaper than the PS3, Gold totally invalidates that argument.

The reason you go for the 360 is that it has enough games that you actually want to buy, not that it's cheaper. For me, price only dictates how many games must be available that I want before I'll buy the console. PS3 would need around 3-4 games that I really want before I'd buy one... Wii (for example) would probably only need 1-2. I didn't buy a 360 until it had about 3-4 games out or coming out in a month or two (from the date I bought it, about a year ago, not now).

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian

Originally posted by: mlm

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Oh, you're completely right, just looked it up. Had always thought it was every weekend. Doh! It's well worth it though. It's the price of one game for a year...hard not to be able to justify it.

It's okay if you have disposable income, but if one of the reasons you go for the 360 is because it's cheaper than the PS3, Gold totally invalidates that argument.

Gold doesn't invalidate that argument because it's a option. First off it's only $50 a year max, but you can always find deals over the course of the year to bring that down. Also only a couple million XBL users have gold, so obviously many feel that it's not worth the extra money.

And at this point the difference between Sony's service and MS service is huge IMHO. If Sony really bridges the gap with Home (which I hope they do) hopefully MS will lower the price of Live or provide more accessible versions that cost less or nothing but include advertising.

Right now, the quality of Xbox Live is well worth the $50 (actually less for anyone who just takes the time to look for a deal) a year with the benefits it has over the competing service. If the competing service brings up the quality of their offering till its on par (or better) than Live...MS will have to re-evaluate how much they charge for Live.

I have absolutely no problem paying for Live as it is a huge portion of how I use the console. If I could get a similar experience on the PS3 (which I can't right now IMHO), then that would be a compelling reason to consider a PS3.

 

[erwos]

In general, I'm pretty satisfied with Live. I'm not a gold subscriber at the moment, since I don't have a whole lot of time to game right now, but I didn't feel like I was getting ripped off or anything when I was. My only quibble is, like others have said, that matchmaking could be better in a lot of games. Maybe Microsoft needs to expand the API to help with that?

Of course, "XBL" can also mean a lot of things. In this case, I'm choosing for it not to mean "video marketplace" or "arcade".