X-box is the videogame console that was launched by Microsoft Corporation to compete with the highly successful Japanese gaming manufacturers like Sony (PlayStation) and Nintendo.

Very quickly Microsoft's X-box was able to carve a niche for itself in the fast-growing videogame market globally.

As gaming became an increasingly interactive and online activity with the widespread use of Broadband Internet, X-Box went online with a new trademark: Xbox LIVE.

X-box Live is the online version of X-box that enables multi-player online gaming, with the players located at any Internet-accessible locations around the world.

X-box Live achieved its first great milestone in mid-2004 when it sold its one-millionth subscription. Within the next three years, X-box Live subscriptions had grown six-fold to over 8 million subscribers.

By 2008, X-box Live has already crossed an amazing figure of 12 million subscribers. According to Microsoft officials, X-box Live has proved to be a great differentiator for X-box 360 console, and has boosted the overall market position of X-box as a brand.

SPECIAL FEATURES OF X-BOX LIVE

The following are some of the special features of X-box Live that make it a successful product in the highly competitive online gaming global market:

It provides for a "Reputation Rating" where other players choose or avoid a particular player.
It provides for a "Friends List" where a player can choose to list up to a hundred friends of his preference.
"Recent Player" list which displays the names of the last fifty players that a user has played with.
"Complaint filing System" that enables a user to report another user that has broken any of the terms of use of Xbox Live.
"Xbox Guide" available on screen at any time for quick access to the common features of Xbox Live.
Integration with Windows Live.
Free access to "Xbox Live Marketplace" for news on new games.
Free Voice Chat and Video Chat.
Multi-player game play with up to 4 X-box's that can be linked together for playing.
Parental control feature.

X-BOX UNIQUE INITIATIVES

Xbox Live has undertaken a unique initiative to connect Xbox Live members with famous people and game developers. "Xbox Ambassadors" is another unique service of Xbox Live members who have been chosen by Microsoft to help the new users and resolve any issues or queries for the users at any time. Currently, this international group of ambassadors represent over 18 countries, and 30 languages.

X-BOX SECURITY

X-box Live is supported with various security features that ensures that only unmodified Xbox machines can access the online service. From last year, Microsoft has prohibited consoles with modified software from accessing Xbox online.

OTHER BENEFITS

X-box Live provides its subscribers special access to game demos, and even films and TV shows through its unique service called the Xbox Live Marketplace. Some of the content is available free, while the paid content can be downloaded by using X-box Live's "Microsoft Points" currency. These points can be purchased through prepaid cards sold in the shops, or via credit cards.

SUMMARY: Online gaming has transformed the world of video games, and X-box online has also played a significant role along with other major competitors in popularizing this form of Internet gaming activity globally.