The future of Xbox Live, you decide
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jan 17th 2007 at 8:34AM }
Looks like Microsoft is attempting to exploit Time's 'Person of the Year.' That's right, the Live Anywhere developer has chosen 'You' to decide its online service's fate. On his blog, Microsoft platform strategist Andre Vrignaud has called on readers to post their ideas about Xbox Live. Specifically, Vrignaud is interested in long term strategies involving the Live Anywhere initiative. What's your five-year plan?Vrignaud does warn than any thoughts posted on his site will become public domain, adding, "If you have some ideas that you want to keep private because you think you might do something with them yourself one day, you should not post them here." Assuming you aren't harboring such grand designs, this is a great opportunity to let Microsoft know what Live is lacking. Have at it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Intentless @ Jan 17th 2007 8:42AM
Can't access from work... sigh... Someone tell him that the Halo style of Matchmaking should be standard for all games... I didn't play online till Halo... Well not seriously on a console anyway... Had live but didn't use it... Then matchmaking game and I was happy...
Yannkes @ Jan 17th 2007 4:14PM
very cool theme
Great web site,
Best regard from Poland
ackmondual @ Jan 17th 2007 11:11AM
-reduce the price of XBL?
-also make it available to PC users?
heh, I know, but I had to ask.
Viridium @ Jan 17th 2007 10:41AM
I'd like it if when I got my console back from a warranty exchange, that all my XBLA games would freaking work on the replacement console! It's not acceptable that non-primary profiles can no longer access the full games, or that the primary account MUST be connected to Live to play.
I called 1-800-4MYXBOX. Their answer? If I can connect to Live, they don't do anything. If I can't, they would normally provide enough points to repurchase the games - but they're out of points now and can't do that? OUT OF POINTS? WTF!? Isn't that like the bank being out of money?
tcc3 @ Jan 17th 2007 11:01AM
Viridium, Keep calling untill you get a rep who will help you. Your box failed under warranty - they have to fix this.
I had the same problem. I coudn't access many of my arcade titles or Oblivion content that my wife bought and vice versa. They hooked me up with enough points to get all my content fixed.
This is their problem - they need to fix it.
steve @ Jan 17th 2007 12:31PM
#4, Live is coming to Vista this year.
I've always assumed that Microsoft's acquisition of in-game ad company Massive was to do an ad-supported version of Live.
Mad @ Jan 17th 2007 12:00PM
It's a no brainer, make it free for god's sake..!
PG @ Jan 17th 2007 12:20PM
Not really an enhancement to Live - but enforcing clan support for all xbox live enabled games would be a HUGE plus that many have asked for.
Cuja @ Jan 17th 2007 12:17PM
What happen to silver membership's weekend online gaming for free? That was their first year plan. That would help sell more systems but less gold memberships.
mike @ Jan 17th 2007 12:42PM
5. No, Xbox Live should not be free.
Look at PS2's online or worst of all Nintendo's online (I'm sorry Nintendo, but it sucks).
They are just two examples of how a free online service will never work. Besides, the yearly fee is used to make Xbox Live as great as it is.
John @ Jan 17th 2007 12:42PM
i wanna web browser with full keyboard/mouse support! even if MS released a web browser along with an official wireless keyboard/mouse and made it so you had to buy that to surf the web and no other keyboard and mouse would work thatd b k! also scrap the whole media center linking with ur pc thing and just put media center directly on2 the 360! lol! also make it so that u can earn xbl points by completing games and stuff! thatd be awesome! lol! and that u can win them by winning online tournaments! thatd be cool! lol! etc etc etc
Dan @ Jan 17th 2007 12:46PM
Playing people over a particular age feature, I would only like to play some one over 18, 25, 30. no more screaming kids.
Sly @ Jan 17th 2007 1:26PM
Free web browsing would be nice. If not, add it free to gold members only. A new look dash with tabs that has life to it. Expanding, moving, or floating thumbnails and gamertags. An interface that says "cool".
hef @ Jan 17th 2007 8:29PM
not enough price gouging on Xlive! Need to hide more pictures and themes from buyer!
Kob33r @ Jan 20th 2007 6:08AM
Faster Xbox Guide/Dashboard access, at least on my 360 its kind of slow. Also I concur with Post #11 a option where I could chose to play with my own age group; or at least play M rated games with players they are made for. Don’t know if its possible but it would be really sweet if like the hosts for multiplayer could give the clients the ability to hear the custom tracks the host is or may be playing.
Brad @ Jan 18th 2007 12:52AM
I think that a customizable dashboard (not just pictures, but arrangement of tabs and menus as well as themes) along with web browsing (keyboard/mouse support) and a more selective matchmaking process (inputs for age brackets, gamerscores, etc.) would really take Xbox Live to the next level.