Chatting It Up

When Xbox LIVE® shipped, console gamers were given the gift of guaranteed communication. With the Xbox LIVE Communicator headset and the ability to speak, you had the opportunity to chat with your fellow gamers, develop strategy with teammates, and talk a little trash to the competition.

With the release of Xbox 360™, that voice communication will reach another level with one-on-one chat.

Chat Anytime
Xbox 360 takes chat to another level for a more relaxed, social experience. Put simply, the chat feature allows you to hook up with a fellow Xbox LIVE Gold Member at any time to strategize, congratulate, challenge, and more.

Whether you're looking at streaming video through Xbox 360 from your Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC, listening to ripped soundtracks, or playing a game, your fellow Xbox LIVE member is just an invite away from chatting.

Imagine the possibilities:

• Troubled boss encounter: Say you're twiddling your thumbs over a brutal boss fight. You can't seem to get it done, but your buddy that beat the game last week just logged into Xbox LIVE. Pause your game, push the Xbox Guide button, and send a chat invite to get the advice you need.
• Rendezvous online: See a member of your friends list online and want to discuss that latest movie trailer you downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace or that game that's coming out next week? Just start a chat session.
• Secret strategy: Don't like to chat about strategy while your opponents are eavesdropping in the lobby? Get a confidential chat session going before joining a game to get your tactics straightened out.
• Always connected: Xbox LIVE makes it easier than ever to check in with old friends who game on Xbox LIVE. Your entertainment will never be the same.

The list goes on and on, but the point is made: Headset communication is no longer game specific. All it takes is an Xbox LIVE Gold membership, an Xbox 360 Headset, and a member of your friends list to talk to. It's innate to the service, and that's a beautiful thing.

Article by Alex McLain

• Improved Friends List.
• Xbox Live Marketplace.