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X Box 360

Seismosaurus

Philosopher
Seismosaurus
Joined
Mar 15, 2003
Messages
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I have a friend who is buying their kid an XBox 360 core system for christmas. They're not terribly computer literate, and I'm not terribly game console literate, and they've read that the system can connect to the internet and are asking me about the potential uses and abuses.

Their kid wants to go online with his XBox and play games with his friends. Since the console will be in his bedroom, what they want to know is...

Is it actually true that the XBox core system can play online games?
If so, what is needed? They have a computer with broadband net access as it is, would the XBox plug into their computer, or what?
Exactly how does this multi-player game thing work?
Is there any way to limit who he plays with online? They are concerned about the idea of online predators and such talking to kids through this thing.

I've read up on this a bit online, but basically, I need a rough guide to what's what from people who actually use this stuff, and since I know that we have some gamers here...
 
While the Xbox360 can be used to play games on line, and download (Microsoft approved) content, it cannot be used to surf the web or do other traditionally "internet-y" things, including most of the things which parents are traditionally worried about..
I found getting my 360 set up on xbox live very easy, as I just plugged it into an existing home network (literally just plugged in the cable and the console did most of the rest), I hear that connecting directly to a broadband connection is just as easy. Mac users have reported some problems.
 
They should be buying the "Pro" system rather than the "Core"

Only n00bs have the core system.

Seriously, you want a hard drive (not included in the core version), and that costs $99. The price difference between the two is... $100.

See: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/compare101.htm

...and also see: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2005/08/19 (probably NSFW, and a little out of date, but you get the idea). Click on the "news" thing at the bottom for a more verbal explanation.

ETA: If they are still foolish enough to buy the core system, or "Xbox 3S***ty" as it is better known, they will need to get a LAN cable to connect it to their network, or something. Depends what sort of network they have. I think it can connect wirelessly.
 
Last edited:
Smike said:
They should be buying the "Pro" system rather than the "Core"

Only n00bs have the core system.

Seriously, you want a hard drive (not included in the core version), and that costs $99. The price difference between the two is... $100.
Click to expand...

Not an option. The budget doesn't stretch to the hard drive.

Thanks for the answers, folks. Parental settings seem to answer most of the issues.
 
Heh… just make sure they don't get him the Live Vision Camera…*I've had a few pornish surprises with that (some pervs just LOVE masturbating to an audience). :eek:
 
There is one safety issue to consider, well two. First, make sure these people CHECK THE RATINGS on the game they get the kid. I have no idea how old the kid is or whatever, but it may be a good idea for the parents to have at least as good an idea of what their kid is playing as they do of what their kid watches at the movies. The second is that while he may be protected, there's still the microphone. That kid is going to experience some nice people amongst a frightening menagerie of scum and villainy that either insist on cussing constantly to pretend to be "adult" (despite their clearly helium inspired voice), reference their own anatomy in surprising detail suggesting greater than average familiarity, or just plain old fashioned bigoted dimwits who have come to realize that the middle of a VIDEO GAME is exactly the right place to air their views on how tolerance of "those people" is destroying the country. A good rule of thumb to remember is these people are convinced that winning the battle is a valid debating tactic that proves them right. Also, the kid should be taught that is is okay to simply take the headset off and forget it in the middle of these matches.
 
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