Customer Reviews

Xbox Live 12-Month Starter Kit

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

XBox Live is Microsoft's online gaming service that allows gamers from all over the world to interact and play together. As of this writing, there are more than 150 games with XBox Live compatibility (including the dynamic Halo 2 and the popular EA Sports games), and more than 1 million subscribers worldwide. This starter kit includes everything one will need to enter the world of XBox Live: A one-year subscription card and a headset, plus a great game: Crimson Skies (rated Teen for some mild language, violence, and suggestive content). However, there are some things people need to know before they get started on XBox Live.

For one, XBox Live will only work with high-speed Internet connections, such as DSL or cable modems. Dial-up is not supported. There are a handful of options for connecting XBox Live to your high-speed service:

Direct connect is the simplest option. The XBox has an Ethernet jack on its back that takes a standard Ethernet cable. If the XBox is close to your PC, then you can simply disconnect the Ethernet jack from the PC and plug it directly into the XBox.

A better option that saves wear and tear on your cables and ports is to use a router. A router will take your incoming Internet connection and allow it to be split between multiple destinations. You can run one line to your PC, and one to the XBox. I recommend (from personal experience) a Linksys brand router.

Another option is to go wireless. If the XBox and the PC are in different rooms, then going wireless may be the best option, rather than run hundreds of feet of Ethernet cable or drill through floors and walls. Once you set up a wireless network in your house using a wireless router, buy a wireless game adapter and you'll be able to play Live almost anywhere in the house.
The Microsoft Wireless-G XBox Adapter is a good solution (Amazon ASIN: B0000C5FMJ). For a wireless network adapter, look again to Linksys; spend a few extra dollars and go with a wireless-G setup. It's about 5x faster than a wireless-B setup for just a few dollars more.

Once you're set up, logging into Live is pretty easy. Your XBox will do most of the work. Hook up the included headset (for talkback) and you're ready to go. I've played Halo 2 with or against people from literally all over the world; one memorable match was against four Marines somewhere in the Pacific. A warning for parents of kids under 17 or so: The language on Live gets pretty rough, with the "f" word being about as common as breathing.(I've been called things I won't repeat in public). There's little, if any moderation, and when it comes to language, anything goes. (Just a friendly warning).

This package includes a one-year subscription card. Once that expires, one can renew using an XBox Live Subscription card (Amazon ASIN: B00005BPJ5, about $50), or you can extend it with the XBox Live 3 Month Starter kit (about $40, ASIN: B00020DGMC; it also includes a headset, so you'll have a spare). Some games (such as Halo 2) include 2-month free trial cards, which you can also use to extend an existing account.

I hope this review was helpful.

--Christian Wheeler, gamer and games retailer

I'm not going to comment on whether you should get Xbox Live. If you have an Xbox and a high-speed Internet connection, then Xbox Live is a must-have product. That much I think is obvious.

The real question is, "Is this the product I should buy to get Xbox Live?" The answer is a resounding YES. There are other, less expensive, ways to get Xbox Live. For example, you could just subscribe with a credit card directly from your Xbox, at $50/year. But then you wouldn't have the headset, and I think Xbox Live without a headset is pointless. You also wouldn't get a free copy of Crimson Skies, which is an excellent game.

Purchased separately, the contents of this kit would cost you $100, and it gives you everything you need to enjoy Xbox Live for an entire year.

This kit comes with a 12-month subscription card. These cards can be used to start a new account or renew an existing one. Many games also come with 2-month cards. However, those cards cannot be used to renew an account, only to create one. You may already have such a card, or you can get one via eBay for about a dollar. Use the 2-month card to start your subscription, and then apply the 12-month card to renew it. That will give you 14 months for the price of 12.

In addition, if you want to wear headphones while playing Xbox Live games, then I strongly recommend you also get the "Jabra EarWave Boom with Universal 2.5mm connector" (ASIN B00022VUJ6). The Jabra headset fits over your ear, and you can comfortably wear headphones over it. The headset that comes with this Xbox Live kit is clumsy and fragile, and can't be worn with headphones.

I just got an x-box last night with star wars: knights of the old republic. the system is great and the game is addicting. but I had an itch for something more. I went out and purchased x-box live (w/12 month subscription and crimson skies) and star wars battlefront. this is just to get me ready for the arrival of halo 2. it's great being able to play with so many other gamers from all around the world. no more having to have a friend come over to play multi-player. now I have multiplayer at my disposal at any given time. if you have an x-box and enjoy multiplayer games, this is a must for you. also, the price was great with all the other components that come along with it (game, headset, card).

if you bored playin with your brother this is the best thing to get you can play with your friends, join big games its awsome. You can just call your friend and tell him just to start playing with you. It is really worth the money it even comes with an awsome game called "crimson skies" witch is also another 5 stars

If you have an Xbox and ethernet cable.

Xbox Live is a online gaming arena, where millions of people play against each other across the globe. You can play people from next door, to people in Japan, ect.

There are four basic features:

Optimatch:
Use this to find EXACTLY the type of game you want. You can specify how many players you want, what map, ect.

QuickMatch:
Use this to be sorted into a random game.

Host Game:
Use this to host a game for other players to join.

Friends:
This is your Friend's List. You can keep track of people you like to play with or against.

The two problems I have with Xbox Live is (1) stupid kids who are not even supposed to be using Xbox Live (Xbox Live is for ages 13 and up), and (2) people who cannot stop cussing.

I have had MANY bad experiences with dumb kids who act like they are god online. They kill their teammates, whine, and like to think that they are better than you.

I also have had experiences with swearing online. Xbox Live is full of foul language, so I do not reccomend you let children under 13 play. There are also immature kids online who just learned a new word and use it every sentence. X_X

I like how you can send bad feedback on abusive players. If someone is acting like a jerk or is just ruining the game for everyone, you can send them bad feedback. If that player gets too much bad feedback, they may be banned from Xbox Live.

Reccomended games to get for Xbox Live:

Crimson Skies (well, it comes free with this kit)
Ghost Recon 2
Halo 2 (DUH!)
MechAssault 2
Splinter Cell 2
Midtown Madness 3

This kit comes with:

Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
One year subscription to Xbox Live
Voice communicator
Xbox Live startup disc

Don't complain about Xbox Live being too expensive. If you get the subscription ALONE, without the free game and that stuff, it costs $50 a year, which is less than $5 a month.

GamerTag: TurboCircuits

I recently got this for Christmas and it was well worth it. You get a game($15), headset($30), and 12-month subscription card($40). Add that all up together and thats about $90 but you only have to pay roughly around $50-60 depending upon where you buy it. My friend has the same headset and he's had Xbox Live alot longer that me and it's still working even after a few altercations. I have yet the game but I'm sure it will only be average since it's a bonus thing(the subscription card is in the game case).

Before you can play Xbox Live you have to either get an ethernet cable to run from a router connected to your computer to the Xbox or a wireless adapter to plug into your Xbox. The adapter is alot more expensive but it allows you to play a farther distance. I bought one from Wal-Mart for about $80.

After you've purchased whichever means your going to use to get onto xbox live you go through the desktop and then follow the instructions. You will create a unique gamertag, pass code, provide your information(address, phone #, credit card #, & email). After that your now another addition to the growing community of xbox live.

This is the greatest thing I have ever seen. Xbox live is a great way to take your gaming online because it works with numerous amounts of games and is something you can never get bored with. A little too much, but every penny is worth it. The new revolutionary way of communicating over the internet is phenomenal. People actually talking into a headset together while they are playing.

More features about xbox live is the fact you can create a gamers tag, which is just any silly name that pops into your head with also an optional voice sensor. This allows your voice to sound anything you want it to. It is the coolest and funniest thing alive.

The people online are very friendly and helpful, but sometimes you get those people who do not give a dang about rookies. People who just bought this item; stay absolutely away from Halo 2 for right now. The people in the multiplayer matches will slaughter you in seconds. Take it from me. One minute the enemy is vanished and the next minute they are wacking you over the head with their gun.

You have the choice of a yearly renewal or monthly. Im not sure how much the monthly is, but the yearly is fiftly bucks, which is well worth it.

There is only one slight problem with xbox live. If you do not have internet connection from the room you are playing in, then it may become costly. You would have to get a game adapter, a wireless modem, and a bunch of other connections. This alone boosts the price up to somewhere you cannot afford.

All in all, this product is fabulous and recommend it to people who feel lonely playing with AI all the time. Isn't time for another challenge. Maybe someone that is actually real and can be more of a challenge.

You decide.

I just bought this package for my first experience with X-box Live. I love the network (although the level of discourse isn't always that high). The inclusion of a $20 game (Crimson Skies) was a great addition to the one year subscription. While some might complain it's an older game, being new to the X-box, I'd never played it.

The only complaint I had was the headset. I find it very hard to wear. It's hard to keep it behind my ears when I'm wearing my glasses. Because the wrap-around portion is one size fits all and extends back so far, I can't sit back in a chair with a headrest without knocking the headset off. Just generally I'm not impressed with the headset.

I bought XBox Live 3 weeks ago and have stopped playing my PS2 all together. The challenge of fighting or racing a real opponent is addictive.

This is an ABSOLUTE MUST for anyone with broadband and an XBox.

128kbs Upload speed is required to play smoothly, and if you can play people geographically close to you it will run much smoother.

Buy it now, it's cheaper than a game!!!

Before I get to all the good stuff. It would be nice if XBOX bundled with a different game already!!! We all have that game, we all need another headset, we all need to renew. So bundle with a new game! (I realize this needs to be said to XBOX not Amazon, but they probably read these reviews.)

XBOX Live is the greatest thing that ever happened to video games! You will find your self not even finishing games because online play is so much fun and addicting. No matter how sophisticated developers make the ai, it can never compare to human intelligence and challenge. After playing online you will go back to the game campaign with new skill. Xbox live adds an infinite amount of life to games. Some games have a much more advanced Live experience then others, ie. Halo2 with matchmaking and ranking systems, that really adds to the experience and playability.

Guarantee...You will spend way too much time playing Live! The house could catch fire and you will not put the controller down. You will find yourself thinking about yesterdays matches while you should be thinking about your work/school. You will be so wired, sleeping is just not an option. Your sex life will go down the tubes, unless she plays Live with you (let her win, and don't tell her she sucks.) You will forget you have kids. Dinner, what for? What day is it? Yes this will happen to you.

Be aware (in all games) for cheaters and those that taunt, swear and spray racist comments. This is a problem with the Human race not XBOX Live. Some people can really get carried away and ruin the experience for all of us.