Xbox online network UP AND RUNNING!

The real battle of the consoles begins now. According to our sources, Microsoft has reached its online milestone, and preview code for the Xbox online package has been released to developers.
What this means is that the backbone of Microsoft\'s Xbox online plan can now be tested. Code can be downloaded that will allow developers like Digital Extremes, crafters of the online game Unreal Championship, to test out features like content download, voice, authentication, and matchmaking. With test servers up and running in Redmond, the door is now open for game creators to start really testing out online functionality. Most likely Microsoft will also manage the servers after the service is up and running in the real world, in the same way that Sega supported its online games with its service.

It\'s perfect timing for the 27 companies that are currently working on online games for the Xbox. Now they can see how online features like voice communication will affect framerates, and figure the limits for the online portions of their games. For example, Digital Extremes is still shy about giving definite player numbers for its online battles, but now they\'ll finally be able to test out games on the actual servers that will be present when the service launches, tweaking the game so that it plays perfectly.

Think about it -- this is the first time you\'re going to be able to play broadband multiplayer on a truly stable platform. No more having to deal with laggy 56k connections, no having to make sure that everyone\'s hardware configurations compete with one another. Everyone\'s on a level playing field, and that changes the rules of online gaming completely. Fragfests will become faster, and online universes will be able to push to the limits of what the hardware and servers can handle. Rumors and conjecture about what might happen online will become fact, and this fall, when we\'re busy playing our favorite Xbox games, we\'ll find out even more about the progress these developers have made with their online universes.

Is it just or should have MS delayed halo and relesed it with there online network luanch, that way halo could have lan play. If i was ms i would have taken the nintendo approuch and delay the game untill it is ready.

You think this\'ll be enough information for Bungie to have HALO \'net-ready? Do they even have the time?

well halo isnt online still, so too bad, that really killed the game when they announced it wasnt going to go onilne.


but its good news for microsoft that they have their  stuff running.. now sony has to catch them..

Originally posted by Falcon4
well halo isnt online still

It could be online... We just have to know if Bungie will have enough time to have it \'net ready when it launches this November.

well halo isnt online still, so too bad, that really killed the game when they announced it wasnt going to go onilne

Yep, that really pissed me off. Too bad halo could have been 10 times more than what it is now.

I just read (in the ps2.ign rumour feature) that Tony Hawk 3 might end up doing a twisted metal black, because the developer is having trouble, also SOCOM has been pushed back..

Microsoft are surely beating Sony in the online console gaming area.. (not that I care, i hate online gaming)

(not that I care, i hate online gaming)

You hate online gamming, really??? Online gaming IMHO is the future of gamming. I think online is the best **** that ever happened to gaming, not to mention it increases a games replay value by 100 times.

Once I got into PC online gaming there was no turning back for me, I have never been so addicted to games untill online gaming came. It changed everything for me as a gamer.

So just out of curiousity why do you hate online gaming???

This is great news. I don\'t know what the big fuse is about halo being online. They said it is going to be a different halo and console halo. You have to get the pc version out of your head. I know it was a great pc fps. But it is a different game now and I for one can\'t wait to play it.

Microsoft\'s online plan will hurt the XBox more than it helps, no 56k modems will scare buyers away. Just watch.

Originally posted by JediMaster
Microsoft\'s online plan will hurt the XBox more than it helps, no 56k modems will scare buyers away. Just watch.

Honestly, I am happy about the xbox only supporting broadband.  Its about time someone has the balls to step up to the plate and show it how it is...

Analog modems are a travesty on the Internet.   They have been available since the 1960\'s and have been on home computer Bulletin Board Systems since 1977.

I work for a company that does Internet Video On Demand and I hate Analog modems.  In fact I want to set up an Anti-Analog modem website.

Its now almost 2002 (21st Century) and we are still stuck with modems that go slower than driving a car 5 miles per hour.  While everything else has advanced, we are held back to the 15th century because of Analog modems.

Anyone using an Analog modem that can find other Broadband alternatives should be shot!

You wonder why the Internet and is not progressing? Its the Analog Modem.  Do you know why we will be stuck using the Internet and Not Internet 2 in 15 years, it will be the analog modems.

I have been on Broadband at work since early 1995 and I have had broadband at home since 1998.  56k Analog modems or any analog modems are simply unacceptable.

Originally posted by JediMaster
Microsoft\'s online plan will hurt the XBox more than it helps, no 56k modems will scare buyers away. Just watch.

Everyone that I work with has broadband and not only do I think it will rock.  I think it will help people finally want broadband, it can be a driving force.

Its not scaring me away, its not scaring the people I work with away, its not scaring my friends away, its not scaring my family away.

The xbox is going to be much interesting than the PS2, I think it already is....  DMC is PS2\'s only saving grace.

If you want to do anything killer on the Internet you need broadband, its pretty much that simple.

PS2\'s, last saving grace? Um...

MGS2
Soul Reaver 2
Ico
Capcom vs SNK 2
Twisted Metal Online
Jax and Daxter
FFX
Virtua Fighter 4


I mean don\'t get me wrong, I totally agree with you. I think Xbox will be a kickass gaming platform and I plan on getting one myself. But, the ps2 is still the shiznit in my opinion.

DOCWIZ once again you have pretty much laid doen the facts. 56k\'s piss me off so bad, they are holding the potential of the INTERNET BACK. Heck i\'m finding cable modems to be quite slow, after owning one for 5 years now.

I hear massive billion dollar satelite\'s are going to be launched into space just for the net so that we can get increable speeds.
Something needs to be done, the information era is becomming massive, a faster medium is needed to allow the internet to evolve to it\'s fullest potential

Originally posted by TheOgodlyThing


So just out of curiousity why do you hate online gaming???

Sorry, i meant i hated online console gaming, i can\'t afford Broadband and the fact that PAL games run 13 percent slower then NTSC games is BAD. Plus theres the hdd, network adaptor and what have you.. Plus i\'d lag major league.. 56k, Australian.. I\'d have more fun playing alone/multiplayer (original)  thankyou.

Don\'t get me wrong, I played Age of Kings (Aoe 2) online for like 100 hours or more..! I joined a guild and it rocked, but that\'s all that is gonna run on a 56k, RTS games.

I think it is great news, that they have it up and running, why are some of you putting it down?if anything it might give sony a kick up the arse.