Online Review (C)
The new media form under analysis is something that may be somewhat new to the average media consumer. In my spare time I am an avid videogamer, mainly 2K Sports’ NBA2K8, a simulation of what an actual professional basketball game would play out like. Silky 3 point shots, vicious dunks, and killer crossovers can be found here. Not only is there the availability to play offline with fellow gamers next to you, but now gamers across the world can battle their skills on a different playing field: XBox Live.
Now gamers have the opportunity to show their skills off on the grand stage, ultimately obtaining bragging rights and letting their opponents know via screaming through a plastic headset to a fellow gamer across the nation. Here you can play ranked games with fellow ballers, in the ultimate competition to become number 1 online. As you accumulate a better ranking, you begin to look down upon other opponents with a worse ranking than yours, depriving them of the privilege to play you.
The functionality of NBA2K8 on Xbox Live is very user friendly. From the main screen gamers are able to scroll down to “XBox Live” and sign on, that is if you have an account previously set up, which will run you about $60 a year. Once online, there are various options gamers will have at their disposal. You can easily select “quick match,” where the computer matches you up with someone looking for a game just like you are. You also have the option to select “lobbies,” where you can go into different rooms (much like chat rooms, typing text to speak with other gamers) and personally challenge other gamers.
Aside from playing the game, staying connected to XBox Live gives you an advantage above other gamers that lack the feature. There is a sports news ticker that is continuously updated on the bottom of the screen, updating gamers with real-time scores in the NBA and other sports related content. 2K Sports updates the rosters of the teams frequently, so gamers can play with actual rosters of their respective teams that are active in real life.
XBox Live is an innovative feature in videogaming, as it takes gaming to a whole different level. We used to only be able to play in the confines of our home, right next to one another, however now the sky is the limit. I could feasibly play someone across the world and the thought of that is mind-boggling. The best part for me at least, is that if I can’t play a game with my roommates in my apartment, I can always get a game in online. No matter what time of the day, there will always be someone online (even if it is due to different time zones) to play with. The nerds of this world will never be alone…all thanks to Bill Gates and Microsoft.
