When Microsoft released the Xbox and Xbox 360, it had a few objectives in mind. It first wanted to enter and stake its claim in the home video game console wars. It also wanted to establish video games as an important aspect of the overall multimedia experience. After all, Bill Gates himself declared that home video games were an important frontier in digital convergence, and that the Xbox and Xbox 360 would be pioneers in that regard.

However, there is another goal that Microsoft had in mind when it began work on the Xbox, and that was to create a home video game console that would give players an experience like no other, and that would take game play to levels that were previously only dreamed of. Microsoft concluded that the only way to achieve this was to make the Xbox interactive. Thus, the idea for Xbox Live and Xbox 360 Live was born.

Xbox Live was originally launched on November 15, 2002, as a summer launch date was unattainable. Needless to say, it was an instant hit. Video game players of all ages, men & women, young & old could combat their friends down the street or take on challengers from all corners of the globe.

When the Xbox 360 was released to the public, the Xbox Live program underwent a major overhaul to facilitate the new and improved Xbox video game system. Xbox Live Gold, the ultimate in online and interactive gaming play, allows subscribers to access some incredible features, including:

-Gamer tags and ID
-Avatars
-Mottos
-Gamer zones
-Friends list
-Reputation ratings
-And a whole bunch of other super cool things!

One could say that the Xbox 360, with its access to Xbox Live, is another, smaller version of the internet. You can talk and communicate with people, play games and download videos, trailers and newer games. In terms of achieving its goal of becoming a focal point for multimedia convergence, the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live have easily surpassed that target.