Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and content delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It was first made available to the Xbox video game console in November 2002. An updated version of the service became available for the Xbox 360 console at that system's launch. Games for Windows - Live makes certain aspects of the system available on Windows Vista PCs, with plans to extend Live to other platforms such as handhelds and mobile phones as part of the Live Anywhere initiative.

Xbox Live features:

• Gamer tags for user identification
• Avatars, or gamer pictures, for association with gamer tags
• Mottos for display on gamer profiles
• Gamer zones which represent gaming style and influence player matchmaking (Recreation, Pro, Family, Underground)
• Ability to change one's gamer tag for 800 Microsoft Points
• Game achievements are listed with gamer tags and can be compared with friends' achievements
• Reputation rating which is voted on by other players who decide to either prefer or avoid another player
• Gamerscores which are a total of a player's achievement points
• Friends list, which is a list of a player's chosen friends
• Recent player list, which lists the last 50 players one user has played with
• Xbox Live Marketplace content
• Multiplayer online gameplay
• Enhanced matchmaking using cumulative gamerscore, reputation, location/language profile, skill level, and gamerzone.

Upon sign up, Xbox 360 subscribers can choose to either become a Silver member, which is free of charge, or pay for a Gold subscription. A Silver account has the ability to download content, including dashboard themes, gamer pictures, game trailers/demonstrations, movies, game content such as new maps, weapons, levels, characters, challenges, expansions, arcade games and demos; connect with friends/players via voice chat, video chat, instant messenger and text message. Upgrading to a Gold account adds the ability to play online with or against other Gold subscribers.

Windows Live Messenger on XBL

Windows Live Messenger allows users of Xbox Live, Microsoft Windows-based PCs and Windows Mobile devices to connect and directly message each other. It is possible to chat with up to six people at one time, while playing games, listening to music, or watching movies. This complements the existing voice and video chat of Xbox Live. Users will see at a glance if their existing contacts on Windows Live Messenger have Gamertags.

Users of Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360 can use the virtual keyboard accessible on Xbox 360, or by connecting any USB keyboard to the console. Microsoft will launch the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, a small QWERTY keypad that will connect directly into the Xbox 360 controller to support text and instant messaging on September 6, 2007.

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