X-Box Live is Microsoft's online gaming facility that enables gamers to engage in multiplayer games via the internet. Although this is possible with both the original X-Box console the new 360 console, I believe that most people are now using the latter and that's the only one that I have experience of using.

Unfortunately, Sony have already got one over on Microsoft as they offer access to the Playstation Network for free and Microsoft charge approximately £40 per year or £5 per month which seems a bit unnecessary. Playstation Network also includes facility such as community games which can be played for free and the ability to browse the internet. I do know that Microsoft are planning on implementing the ability to sign in to Twitter and Facebook on the 360. I imagine to enable 360 users to be able to browse the internet would only require the simple installation of a browser and maybe a few add-ons such as flash at the most.

X-Box Live still seems to be the winner in terms of popularity and I would say that there are usually twice as many people signed in to X-Box Live as there are signed in to Playstation Network at any one given time. The main game to be played online at the moment seems to be Call Of Duty 5: World At War until a few weeks time when Modern Warfare 2 is released.

X-Box Live can be quite addictive though, my son is always asking to take over the internet so he can play on there so it's wise it invest in wireless if you're planning on subscribing. It's fairly easy to use and is reliable most of the time. I have been known to lose the connection from time to time but it's not a common occurrence, although it can be frustating at times.

The only other downside to X-Box Live is tha fact that once you've subscribed, it can be a nightmare to cancel your registration if you wish to do so and you will have to go through several phone calls. This is something I've read a number of complaints about and Microsoft really need to do something about it. However, I have not wanted to cancel my subsciption so far, as I am satisfied with the service.