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| XBOX Live vs PS2 Network |
| Tuesday, January 06, 2004 at 22:46 by Rich Kavanagh |
The Sega Saturn could do it, the Dreamcast had a decent crack at it, but the vision of fast and easy console online gaming had not been fully realised until this current generation of high-powered gaming platforms.
While Nintendo seem very reluctant to move with the times, constantly promoting their 'simple is best' attitude to the games industry, both Microsoft and Sony have been driving their online services as one of the main selling points of their machines. Microsoft with XBOX Live and Sony with their PS2 Network, both companies have pumped millions of Dollars into their respective services, each hoping to outdo the other's user base.
At the time this article was written, Sony has reported a 0.5 million-subscriber lead over XBOX Live, but this isn't of any relevance. What does matter is that both services are massively successful, and both boast a wide range of different online enabled titles. But which is the better? Or rather, which is better for you? Let's take a look.
First of all, cost, a big deciding factor for some people when choosing a console to go online with. For both services you'll of course need a high-speed Broadband connection, with an ISP (internet service provider) that supports whichever service you choose. On top of this you'll need to pick up the gear to get your machine online. PS2 Network is a one off payment of buying a network adapter, (around £25) which you then simply fit onto the back of your PS2, pop in the network access disk and if everything goes smoothly in the connection setup process, you'll be online in a flash.
However, with XBOX Live, it's a bit more expensive. You'll need to purchase a starter kit for around £40, which contains a headset, headset connection, three online demos and a 12-month free subscription to the service. Yet it's far easier to get going, simply input your credit card details and it detects all your connection settings automatically, no fuss at all.
Which brings me to the matter of XBOX Live's monthly fee, which can be paid monthly or annually (with the latter being £39.99 and the cheapest option overall). Now you may think this is a rip-off considering PS2 Network is just a one-off payment of buying the network adapter, but the XBOX Live service offers so much more in terms of features, let me explain.
Once Live is enabled on your XBOX, whenever you start it up without loading a game you're taken to the XBOX Live Dashboard. It's on this dashboard that you can view and edit your buddylist, check out the latest Live news or use the voice chat. The buddylist feature is nothing short of amazing. From the dashboard or in any Live-enabled game, you can view your buddylist and see who's online and even what they're playing or doing. You can then send them invites to the game you're currently in, or choose to join the game they're playing (at this point the disk tray opens for you to insert your own copy of the required title, same goes for when you accept an invite).
When you're playing a PS2 game online, that's all you can do. You choose a server and join. It's up to the individual game to provide features such as buddylists, lobbies and voice chat. Even then it only counts for the one game. You can access a website called Central Station through your PS2 with the network access disk however, which contains a mountain of gaming media, yet it runs horribly slowly and is subject to crashing frequently for many users.
XBOX Live also holds a much larger online library of games than it's Network rival. With massively popular Live-enabled games such as Rainbow Six 3, Counter-Strike, Project Gotham Racing 2 and Top Spin, the XBOX more than delivers quality titles to go with a quality service. That's not to say the PS2 service doesn't have some gems of its own though. Socom 2 has a much larger user base than any XBOX Live game ever had to date, and PS2 Network can also boast Everquest Online Adventures, a brilliant conversion of the most popular MMORPG of all time.
Overall, it's pretty obvious that XBOX Live is the better service with the widest selection of online games to choose from, and so is the best choice for most gamers. But if you want to play EA Games online, or love the unique style of Socom, then PS2 Network is going to be for you. One last point to make is that PS2 Network is better for younger gamers, as it doesn't require a credit card, unlike XBOX Live.
This article was submitted by guest writer, Mike Pattison
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| you buy a game for £30 and then pay £40 a year to play online for the xbox?!?! i would rather stick with less options and use ps2 gaming for free. |
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| how about xbconnect.com? Play xbox games online for free? |
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| What will be better
Xbox 2 or PS3
Is it true that Xbox 2 will be a computer |
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| You can post your thoughts or comments on this subject herehttp://www.xboxlive.com/
Overall, it's pretty obvious that XBOX Live is the better service with the widest selection of online games to choose from, and so is the best choice for most gamers. But if you want to play EA Games online, or love the unique style of Socom, then PS2 Network is going to be for you. One last point to make is that PS2 Network is better for younger gamers, as it doesn't require a credit card, unlike XBOX Live. |
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| bollox...you must have your figures wrong.
xbox live community MUST be more than PS2 network.
due to the game halo2 this will prove that xbox live community is larger than you have reported. |
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| The thing with ps2 online is it doesent have a gamer scrore or Head sets to talk and u dont get no ps2 market place like u do with xboxlive.
xbox live is alot easyeir to set up to and u dont have to keep registering a new name to play a game.
xbox live u get your moneys worth and it does not lag as mutch and about 75% of the xbox games out there are all compadible with live when about 50% of sonys games do live
Xbox live ownes |
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| This was obivously written by a MS fan. O cmon ur ass(XBOX live) is getting pwned by the PS3 online network.
XBOX Live- PS3 Online Network-
1.)$40.00 1.)free
2.)Service is great I got to admit that 2.)Service is just as great as XBOX live
3.)Really interactive 3.)Upcoming, really anticapated PS3 home
I have both a PS3 and a XBOX 360 and I got to say once I bought the PS3 i just killed by XBOX Live account. So
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