As some of you may know, I have been using the Sony online service for a while now and enjoy it much more than regular "offline" gaming.

I just want to know a few honest opinions about the standard of the Xbox service.
Not a comparison to Sony (don't want to start fanboy wars) :P

I am thinking of buying an Xbox but it would only be for the online games.
Would it be worthwile or would I be wasting my time and money?

Thanks for your help as I don't know anyone personally with the Live service and prefer not to take a salespersons word as gospel.

EDIT

I have also heard that you go to the one big Xbox lobby to play any game from. Sort of like a PC online game lobby. Is this correct?

That's one thing that sucks with the Sony service, it's so hard to track your friends down.

I don't have it. Yet. But I've only heard good things about Xbox Live. And when you compare the online services of Xbox Live and PS2's online network, Live certainly is the better of the two. It's also more accessible, and more importantly there are heaps more online-compatible games for Xbox than there are for the PS2.

If you love online gaming, and íf there are some Xbox games you want to play, then yes it would be worth your time and money.

Well, considering that in the past, my Xbox time has been about 80% Live, 20% offline...I would say....HELL YEAH!

Xbox live is a superb system, best online system I have ever used. Normally I don't play online games, simply because I got confused easily, and couldn't set up the PC games well.

But Xbox Live has made it so damned easy, that I have racked up tens of thousands of kudos points racing soley against Lordage.

Anyway....rambling :P

I haven't played the Sony online system, but I do know that on paper, Live looks a heck of a lot better, and in reality, lives up to everything it says it can do.

Is the Xbox worth it based on Live alone?

I'd have to say No to that. Why? Well I put it down to where we live, and where all the fast connections and gamers are, which equates to over here, and over there.

Xbox Live is set up real well, with it being really easy to find your friends online and see what they're playing, even joining into their game all from the lobby. Only problem is, all communication has to be made through the microphone, which doesn't always work too well..give me a keyboard any day.

I guess i've just been spoilt by online gaming with a PC, but overall I have been dissapointed with Live so far, and that can primarily be put down to not being able to find decent games with a decent speed.

You find it difficult talking with the mic?

:?

That's odd.

Xbox Live allows you to have a friends list also, to help you find all your friends. You can see if they are online or not, and if they are online, what game they are playing. You can choose to join them, or invite them into your game. Very spiffy :)

So are you saying that you can access gamers from overseas as well as Australia?

The main problem that I have encountered with Sony online is Lag. You get that on PC or Live as well I presume.

You mix users on fast connections with users on crappy slow connections and that's what happens I guess, plus better servers would help but hey this is Australia the backwater of the world. I would like to see ping times for individual players added to console games or has that already been done?

Yes, you can connect to players oversea through Live. But understand that Live requires broadband to run, so generally everyone will have decent speeds, but it's the factor of the actual location which will determine how fast the games run. Since majority of servers are overseas there's going to be some lag if you play with overseas players. But if you stick with friends and others you know around Aus, then speeds should be pretty good.

Yes it's worth every cent, I could repeat what Xamer said... But I won't. :P

Also Live is being updated all the time, the latest Update gave the option to start clans as well as moving all the XSN game planning from the website to Live itself.
There were a few other dditions but I can't remember what they were. :P Live is worth every cent. :)

I'd definately have to say that Xbox is worth the purchase solely based on the Online service as well. It has it's cons, just not as many as Sony's service. :P

Most of my gaming has come online then offline with the xbox. Which is mostly because a lot of Xbox's games don't seem to interest me loads, yet playing online is incredibly different. The interaction between players is great. Be warned though, it'll take you a while to get used to having to reach up and place you mic on mute if you don't need it rather than simply letting go of an easier to reach button on the PS2.

Yep.

Talking through the microphone is jittery, most people are reluctant to say much if anything on Live, and the people that do, are too buys spouting profanities than anything worthwhile.

Did you read my re-count in my Xbox Live diary over at Hyper, with my experiences with Live and the microphone?

Granted i've only tried out Live for a week or so, but when I get my router next week, i'll be permanently hooked up, and i'll see what happens then.

Personally, I dont see why you'd get an Xbox *just* for Live. Its regarded as the best of the console online services and has great support, but theres enough meat to the Xbox game library to make buying a console worthwhile Live or no. Plus the rrp has dropped recently, making it very affordable.

Anyone notice that the PS2 (not detracting from the console in any way mind you, just observing) is the more expensive of the three main consoles despite being much older?

Manny M, I rarely have problems with the Mic, and usually have phone quality sound. The only time problems arise is if you are uploading/downloading whilst playing, then the mic quality is decreased dramatically.

I'm a PC gamer and I'm still finding the PC a superior online platform.

Then again, if racing or sport games are your MAIN thing, it might suit your tastes.

Personally, I love Playing FPSs over the met more than other genres.

EA has just been confirmed for Xbox Live.

There should be 15 titles this year including the whole EA Sports Line-up.
Then there's GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, Need For Speed Underground 2, Battlefield, Burnout 3, and TimeSplitters 3 to look forward to.