I recently purchased an X-box and have played the multiplayer halo with friends. (We've had up to 13 playing at once.) I was wondering if anyone had played this online, and had any thoughts. I have a few specific questions, but any other info would be appreciated: Do you use Gamespy? XBox connect? Which is better and why? Can you use more than one XBox with one broadband connection? (I am aware of the bandwith issue, but I have DSL near a switch, and it doesn't look like this would be a problem.) Will just any cheap (let's say economy) hub from BestBuy/Microcenter work? I have seen a couple of places where users said X-Box live will require a router, not a hub. But, I haven't seen anything about this from Microsoft. I'd rather go the low cost route, but don't want to buy a hub and find out I'll need a router later. Any other thoughts?
dc - I used the gamespy tunnel, I had just a economy hub and I was on DSL, it was pretty cool playing against someone else. I can't say I was too impressed by it, I am waiting for XBOX Live. Also take into account I was doing this months ago when it first came out, it was hard to connec to people and the connection dropped several times. I am hoping it has improved, if you try it let me know and maybe we can play.
When yall get XBox Live, HIT ME UP! My gamer tag is: Dave2000 I am a beta tester. If you havent tried yet, give it a shot to be on it. Out of the three people I know that registered for it, all of them got in, including me. So, its worth a shot XBox Live Beta Registration
Sonny, It sounds like it's gotten a lot better. The Gamespy people report tweaking their software, and reducing the drop-offs. They also talk about it working better with people who are closer to each other (in 'ping' time), so I'm sure it will work better with more people. Dave, I'm looking forward to XBox Live. According to the Microsoft's releases, they've filled their 10,000 spots on the beta testing, and no one else gets in until it goes public in November. Can you answer the router question? Do you have to have a router, or will a hub work? What are you using? I'm kind of disapointed with Microsoft's public information on this. They're usually pretty detail oriented on their products.
dc, I am using a D-Link model DI-604 4port router. I bought it for like $30 after rebate at Best Buy. I havent had any problems at all with it and got real good reviews on different websites. I have Roadrunner, so it was easy to setup. No need to insert IP address and other network settings. I just plugged in the CAT5 cables and I was up and going. Sonny, XBox Live has been great so far. There hasnt been any great selection of games to play so far. I can only play a Online only version of NFL Fever 2003, Re-Volt, and retail version of NFL 2K3. Whats funny is that I have the retail version of NFL Fever 2003 also, but I am unable to play that version online. Fever and Revolt are fun games to play. I havent expierence much lagging at all. I have played people all over the US from Austin, Ohmaha, Sacramento, and North Carolina. The only concern I had was playing some hot shot immature 12 yr old, that would ruin my day, but havent played one yet. Everybody seemed to be older than 16 at the least. Surprisingly,I even had a few females playing Re-Volt. I got an email a few days ago that states the beta testers are getting 2 new games by 10-8, MotoGP and Whacked and being sent to us for free, so its not bad being a beta tester. When NBA 2K3 comes out, that is suppost to be XBox Live enable as soon as it comes out on 10-9. So that will be fun as hell to play also. Wish yall were online with me
Whoops forgot to answer Sonny's second question. You can play online with 4 people under one account. The person that logged in, will display their gamertag while the other 3 will have "guest" displayed for them. I havent tried yet, but i did play someone that was playing with a guest, it didnt lag at all. I heard that if you have friends come over with their own accounts, all four of them can logon as their respective gamer tags. Ex. Sonny had an accont, comes over my place, we both can logon with our own account. The only thing is that, u would have bring a memory card that would have your accont information stored. Also DC, on XBox beta site, they listed some routers that were supported by Microsoft and the ones that are not, here is the list: Use These Routers with Xbox Live The following routers work with Xbox Live. To find out more about a particular router, follow the vendor link. Note These lists are based on preliminary testing and subject to change without notice. Asante FR3004C Belkin F5D5230-4 CompUSA Cable/DSL Router Dlink Dl704,Dl707,Dl804 Linksys BEFSR11,BEFSR41,BEFSR41,BEFSR81,BEFSW11S4,NR041 Melco/Buffalo BLR2-TX4 Netgear FM114P,FR114P,FR314,FVS318,RP614 Siemens SpeedStream SS2602 v 1.20 SMC 7004ABR,7004VWBR ZyXel Prestige 310 Prestige 944 Don't Use These Routers with Xbox Live The following routers currently don't work with Xbox Live. To find out more about a particular router, follow the vendor link. Vendor Model Firmware Netgear FR114P,MR314,MR314,RP114,RP334,RP334,RT314,RT314, RT311,RT311 SMC 7004VBR ZyXel Prestige 314
Dave - sounds really awesome. You suck. When I said multiplayer, I meant in a game of Halo or NFL Fever can you have more than 2 guys playing? In the Gamespy software you can only have 2 people. Is the XBOX Live similar to gaming on the internet where you can have 8, 16, 32 or even 64 depending on the game?
Thank you Dave, I really appreciate the info. Sonny, I'll answer this the way I understand it -- and hopefully Dave can confirm/correct. XBox Live will act as a network center, but at least for the current games, you are limited by the system link function of the game. So for example with Halo, you can connect up to four X-boxes, with up to 4 per box. Other games have a similar limit. One huge advantage though will be the headsets, so you can actually communicate strategy with your teammates (You can also alter your voice, and selectively mute others.=). Halo 2 is supposed to be much 'bigger' and designed for x-box live. It is supposed to support battles of 'epic proportions.' I would assume this is something greater than 16. I believe the games will be hosted on Microsoft's servers, so they can potentially support huge games/environments. Future games are supposed to be built around the live system, so in a couple of years, well, it will be pretty cool. Dave, I'll bet they had an age limit on those accepted. They picked 10,000 out of over 100,000. When live goes 'live' we'll all be at the mercy of the 12 year olds.
When it comes out, this kid in my dorm will probably get it, considering he has like 30000 dollars worth of stock assets. And when I do... you will all be fearing the footsteps of NOMAH! Tracking you silently in Hang Em High... sniping you stealthily on Blood Gulch... oh the pain, oh the anguish. Haha.
I am not too sure of that. Like I said, you can have 6 people playing fever at a time (4 at my house and 4 at another gamer tag's house), but I dont know anymore extent to that.
OK -- an unrelated x-box question. Are there any good kid-friendly games for the x-box? I have some young nieces and nephews that I'm sure would like to play when they visit (3-10 range). They woudn't understand the sports games, and games like Halo aren't really appropriate. There's not a lot out there. I got Shreck (on sale) but it's not very good, and a little hard to control. I was thinking of Spiderman or the Simpsons: Road rage. (OK, not exactly G rated, but better than shooting people with a shotgun). Suggestions?
Check this game out based off characters from Looney Tunes. Looks pretty fun...especially for kids. Click Here for the Kid's Game Good Sir
I am not sure if it will or not, I hope it is. Halo2 should be though. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020808/sfth019_1.html http://halo.bungie.org/misc/halo2trailermirrors.html
Well, you access XBOX Live from the game itself, and Halo 1, doesn't have an XBOX Live option in the menus.
