Spectator Mode: Watch and Learn

Xbox Live® has given us unparalleled online competition, a sense of community with cross-game invites and tournaments, an extended lifespan for games with downloadable content.

And these are just the broad highlights.The launch of Xbox 360™ includes a series of massive upgrades and additions to the Xbox Live service.

Among these is the new Spectator Mode, an online feature that offers everyone a way to interact with games in a way never before possible. Put simply, it allows you to observe an online game without actively competing.

Watch the Best
Ever look at the Xbox Live leader board and wonder how someone snagged the top spot? Watch and learn.Scrutinise every turn in a racing game, gain outstanding map knowledge in an FPS, and observe tactical mastery in a squad-based shooter. There are few better ways to learn good strategy and recognise bad tactics than watching the best.

Follow their every move in Project Gotham Racing 3

Become Famous
Imagine dominating your favorite game at every turn.You're blazing up the leader board and polishing off levels like there was no tomorrow.Now bask in the glow of your gaming fame as you see more and more people taking the time to sit and watch and analyse your every move.

Let them gaze on as they hope to spot a chink in your armor and exploit it in a future match. What better way to keep you on your toes?

Sit in the Stands
Waiting out your friend's match so you can play a few rounds with them? Or maybe you recognise a consistent opponent and want to watch their game without the tension of in-game competition? Or did you finish up your round in a tournament and now you want to watch your prospective opponents?

Just plug into their match and watch at your leisure. Not only will you pass the time, you might learn a little something – like how to pass on the inside on that tricky hairpin turn.

Get Help From a Friend
You're stuck, frustrated, and just can't figure out the next step in a game. We've all called friends in similar circumstances. But with spectator mode featured in a game, the conversation is short. Rather than tell you what to do, they can show you how to get beyond your stumbling blocks as they load up the level and you hop in to watch.

Project Gotham Racing® 3, the first game to feature the new spectator mode, races in with the launch of Xbox 360, so you'll have the opportunity to experiment with all the new mode offers from the start.

Just as exciting is the thought of other developers recognising the feature for what it is, and employing it in games across all genres.

Article by Alex McLain