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There's nothing stopping developers from creating a third party gaming network for XBox either since they already did.

Both of those services are free in some form, work with games from before XBox Live! (Halo anyone?), and only require a computer, a hub and a network connection.

I don't see how legality can possibly be an issue since all they do is take an XBox's existing LAN support and transmit it over the Internet. Maybe no third party developers make network apps for the Cube because the Cube doesn't come with network support?

How does this change the problem with playing XBox Live with a modded XBox?

You can use Gamespy Arcade and a tunnel program to play quite a few online games for free, even with a modchip. I wouldn't pay for a service like that to play games when I can play them for free...

How does this change the problem with playing XBox Live with a modded XBox?

You can use Gamespy Arcade and a tunnel program to play quite a few online games for free, even with a modchip. I wouldn't pay for a service like that to play games when I can play them for free...

Many XBox games support multiplayer online gaming (albeit with additional software) in a similar way that PS2 does. For instance, games like Halo, Ghost Recon, etc. play very well WITHOUT Live! (see XB Connect, or Gamespy's XBox Tunnel). Granted, these tools are not supported by MS, nor are they accessible to the beginner user; however, the numbers on the servers demonstrate that there are a large number of people that have figured out how to use them. In this sense, I think it's fair to say that Sony & MS are almost on par (they're not, but they're similar).

I think the key take-away, however, is that Live! is that it is NOT JUST a way to play multiplayer games online. It is also a way for MS to provide support for things like content upgrades (a la Everquest), and easy access to playing with your other friends online (something that PS2 doesn't can't support without a centralized server). The latter point is important because it means that even the non-Internet savvy can use Live!'s online service; PS2 users may not be so fortunate.

Live! also provides a headset that works right off the bat with any Live!-enabled game. That's cool! Think about it -- talking is much cooler than breaking out of the action to type. That's why it's more fun to play at a LAN party than having everyone play at home and communicating by pressing the `T' button. ;)

The content upgrade thing sounds cool, too. We have yet to see it happen in a big way for games yet, but the possibilities here are extremely cool. After finishing the nine missions of Splinter Cell, I can tell you that I am DYING for the downloadable missions. *cross fingers* Let's hope it actually comes to pass. :)

In sum, MS and PS2's strategies clearly seem different here; it seems that the infrastructure laid down by Live! will allow for much much more -- it's a matter of seeing whether they decide to take advatange of it all.

Beos has fewer applications, sure, but it also has a consistent interface...

Those two things are related. As soon as you get a real rush of programmers and popularity, you can kiss your consitency goodbye. You're always at the mercy of some idiot who thinks that his "revolutionary new idea" (bitmapped buttons / custom window frame / dark grey on black text) is worth throwing own consitency and ease of use. You just can't win, they outnumber you. Enjoy it while you can.

Whoops, forgot the link

You can already play Halo online without subscribing to XBox Live. My friends and I do it all of the time. For Linux (and only Linux, but there is a boot disc in case you don't want to install Linux), go to http://www.xboxgw.com/ for the software. If you're a GameSpy junkie, you can use their software too, from http://www.gamespyarcade.com/software/support/tunn el_xbox.shtml. Note, I haven't used any games other than Halo, but supposedly any game with a system link functionality will work over these.

Once you register, you can improve your chess with hundreds of Web-based exercises, specifically designed to complement my book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess.

Come join us! Register a name, install our easy-to-use software, and then use that to connect to our playing site. You can try it for free! With over 25,000 paying members from all over the world, Chessclub.com is the longest running and most vibrant chess community on the internet. You can play games and get a rating, watch grandmasters play while discussing the game, take lessons, play in tournaments, play in simultaneous exhibitions, try chess variants like bughouse, crazyhouse and atomic, play chess programs of all levels, and much more.

However, also from the Gamespy website:
Some U.S. states and foreign countries provide rights in addition to those above, or do not allow excluding or limiting implied warranties, or liability for incidental or consequential damages. Therefore, the above limitations may not apply to you or there may be state provisions that supersede the above. Any clause declared invalid shall be deemed severable and not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder. These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California and may only be amended in a writing signed by GameSpy Industries.

In addition, there are also a number of legal challenges to EULA's and the like (although I'm not sure whether any have succeeded yet) - see here and here, for example

I don't know whether any applicable laws apply in the States, but the UK has laws which effectively mean that even though you've put up a sign saying you can't have something (eg refunds in shops), it doesn't have any legal bearing over your statutory rights.

Other laws apply which require companies to have signs in prominent positions - preventing vehicle clamping firms from stealth clamping. The legal stuff link on their home page is right at the bottom corner - you have to scroll right down (well past the files link) to even see it. OK, we'll let them off, so long as the files page has a prominent link. Erm, not quite - again right at the bottom, this time wrapped in a font size=-2 tag. Well done chaps.

Not that the people who downloaded it didn't have any responsibility to run a virus scan of their download, of course. However, you do expect a "reputable" company that you get files from should prevent this from happening in the first place. It just adds a little touch of irony to the little check box found in the security warning popup which appears when you go here Always trust content from Gamespy Industries, Inc.

For a look at how EULA's should be, check the SVLA at CEXX.org

If people want to play online computers games, they'll play them on the computer.

Just the other day I had the opportunity to play multiplayer Halo over the net using a piece of software called GameSpy Tunnel. I couldn't believe how much fun it was! One of the best things, and something that is not possible on a computer, is being able to have up to 4 players per X-Box. Sitting next to your friends when playing a team game enhances the experience so much, and makes the games that much more fun. Another person's comment to this article mentioned that consoles are social machines, and the real fun comes from sitting with people and playing. Well internet gaming with the X-Box takes that to the next level, allowing you and your friends to kick the crap out of another (or several other) groups of people who are trying to do the same.

I'm actually very surprised no one has mentioned the GameSpy software yet, it works great, is constantly being updated for new games, and even more, it's free! I definately recommend anyone who owns an X-Box check it out!

TESTED AND VERIFIED UNDER GAMESPY ARCADE

This vulnerability affects applications which integrate IE functionality!

Gamespy "GameSpy Arcade is the #1 online gaming service... Support for over 300 of the leading games and demos".

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• Halo
  
• Tony Hawk 2x
  
• Tony Hawk 3
  
• NASCAR Heat 2002
  

I currently work for GameSpy, both as an admin on GameSpy Arcade, and site director of 3DActionPlanet. However, because I live in Canada, and GameSpy is in California, that is quite a daily commute. So, I telecommute, and I can tell you right now that I don't need ANY other perks.

I find that when I'm at home, relaxed, listening to whatever I feel like listening too, my creativity flows like a faucet -- I'm a productive dynamo!

Plus, by telecommuting, all of my computer stuff is tax-deductable ;)


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CitizenC

Being an admin for GameSpy Arcade, I can vouch for the fact that it DOES break the mods -- badly. I've been giving users support for the past two hours. I will tell you guys what I tell them:

If you have already upgraded to the Quake 3 Arena Point Release 1.25 public beta, you can revert to 1.17 by doing the following: 1) Delete the pak4.pk3 file located in your /baseq3 folder 2) Reinstall the Quake 3 Arena Point Release version 1.17


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CitizenC

Zero-Knowledge Systems, the company that developed freed0m, has a fantastic work enviroment -- it is an open loft, huge desks, computers, toys, food -- apparently, it is quite good at encouraging good work =) (You can see more pictures and details here.)

However, I believe that I have a pretty good job myself -- I'm an admin on GameSpy Arcade, and I work from my house! =)

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CitizenC