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| March 1, 2010 • Vol.7 Issue 3 | |
Take Your Console Online Get The Most Out Of Your Gaming Experience | |
 Button-mashing teenagers sitting in dingy basements are no longer an accurate representation of the typical gamer (if they ever were). Modern gamers are highly social people who do more than just play games on their consoles. Read on to discover the social and multimedia sides of current consoles and how home network and Web connectivity are the keys to a more complete entertainment experience.  Online Options The consoles from the top three gaming hardware manufacturers, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony, all support the ability to connect to home networks and the Internet. The most obvious reason you’d want to get your game console online is to experience the multiplayer element of most games. Depending on the title, games can feature the ability to play competitively against other players, team up with other players to cooperatively experience the game, and even generate a friends list so you can easily find people to play with whenever you’re online. Gaming Features The online experience varies based on the console, but connecting them is similar to connecting a PC to your home network: using Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet cable. The PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 all feature free online services that let you do many of the previously mentioned activities. Xbox 360 owners can upgrade from the free service (Silver) to an enhanced service (Gold; $49.99 per year) to participate in online multiplayer games and use Microsoft’s matchmaking and feedback tools. All three consoles also let you purchase and download games directly from your TV. Perfect For: Those who like to play competitively or cooperatively. Stream Your Media Media streaming, which lets you view content stored on your PC via your console and TV, is one of the best reasons to take the plunge with the current console generation. The Xbox 360 is a full Windows media extender, so it works natively with the Windows PC you’re using to stream videos, music, and photos. However, this capability will depend on the operating system you’re using. The PlayStation 3 also streams media from a PC to your TV for your viewing and listening pleasure. Both consoles support Netflix streaming, which lets current Netflix subscribers watch movies, TV shows, and documentaries directly from the console. The Wii will also be Neflix-ready sometime this spring. Perfect For: Those who want to view and listen to their PC content and other content on their TV. Access Extra Features All three platforms offer a little something extra when networked. The Wii features the Internet Channel, which lets users browse the Internet. Xbox Live users can tap into Facebook, listen to streaming music from Last.fm, and watch streaming movies from Zune Marketplace. And PlayStation Home is a 3D social space that lets PS3 owners create a custom avatar, decorate a personal apartment, chat, shop, watch videos, and more. Perfect For: Those who want to get the most entertainment value out of their gaming console. by Andrew Leibman |
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