MVPs are credible experts from around the world who inspire others to learn and grow through active community participation. While MVPs come from many backgrounds and a wide range of communities, they share a passion for technology and a demonstrated willingness to help others. MVPs do this through the books and articles they author; the Web sites they manage; the blogs they maintain; the user groups they participate in; the chats they host or contribute to; the events and training sessions where they present, as well as through the questions they answer in newsgroups or online forums.

For more information: www.microsoft.com/mvp

What is an Xbox MVP?

As a member of the Xbox® community, you may have occasion to meet an Xbox MVP. They are easy to recognize because they know just about everything, and are unfailingly polite and helpful. You may think they work for Xbox or Microsoft®, but they don't. They are volunteers who are part of a corporate-wide program.

The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Program recognizes and thanks outstanding members of Microsoft communities for their participation and willingness to help others. The program celebrates the most active community members from around the world who provide invaluable online and offline expertise. Their expertise enriches the community experience and makes a difference in communities that feature Microsoft products.

The Xbox MVP Program was created to recognize customers that participate in the Xbox community. We recognize these gifted contributors and award them the Xbox MVP title as our way of saying "thank you." It is their demonstrated commitment to helping others in the Xbox.com Forums and other Xbox related communities around the globe that we recognize.

Who are these MVPs?
We currently have 28 Xbox MVPs ranging in age from a 17-year-old high school student to a 50+ retiree. Although most of our Xbox MVPs reside in the United States and Canada, we also have Xbox MVPs who live in the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and Japan. You'll find most of these MVPs acting as Moderators in the official Xbox.com Forums, and some Xbox MVPs also have their own Xbox themed websites as well.

Major Nelson and Xbox MVP Lead Tony Hynes spend a lot of time out in the Xbox Forums and looking at other Xbox community sites for possible candidates. Although customers may not nominate someone for the award, serious consideration is given to those who are praised and recognized by other members of the community.

So what does it take to be an Xbox MVP? Tony Hynes told us, "The most important qualities that we look for in an MVP are those who are respectful to others and have a positive attitude. In other words, does this person help his or her fellow gamers in the community? Is the community a better place because of their contributions?"

By TriXie