Xbox Gaming in South Africa

Microsoft South Africa has released a new extended frequently asked questions sheet on Xbox LIVE in South Africa.

Check it out below for all the answers:

Q: What is Xbox LIVE?

A: Xbox LIVE is the biggest social entertainment network connected to the TV, with more than 25 million members across 26 countries (soon to be 35) and nine languages. Xbox LIVE is the online service seamlessly integrated throughout the entire Xbox 360 experience, making it easy for people to find the friends and entertainment they want from the moment they turn on their console.

Why has Xbox LIVE been so successful?

Xbox LIVE delivers more entertainment than any other service, with thousands of movies and TV episodes at your fingertips and the best multiplayer gaming network in the industry. Xbox LIVE brings you all of the best entertainment straight to your TV, only on Xbox 360.

How many Xbox LIVE members are there currently?

There are currently 25 million active Xbox LIVE community members worldwide.

What does Xbox LIVE cost?

A 12 month subscription will cost R599, but will include an additional 2 months free at launch. 3 month subscriptions are available for R199. If you buy any Call of Duty game or bundle, you will be able to purchase a 14 month subscription (12months + 2months) at R399 (R200 off). Alternatively if you buy any Xbox console, you will be able to purchase a 14 month subscription (12months + 2months) at R399 (R200 off).

What motivated Microsoft to launch LIVE in South Africa?

South Africa is an important investment for us, and we believe Xbox LIVE is an important differentiator that puts Xbox 360 ahead of the competition. We want Xbox 360 owners all over the world to have access to the best online gaming network in the industry, but from a business perspective, we believe this will be a great driver of new console purchasers.

Will South Africa have full Xbox LIVE functionality?

For launch we’ve focused first on delivering the core gaming and community features that have made Xbox LIVE the world’s premier online gaming destination. Connect to Xbox LIVE for free (broadband internet required) and get free game demos, access to arcade games, plus game add-ons like new songs, characters and map packs [Games and add-ons sold separately]. Upgrade to Xbox LIVE Gold and play multiplayer games online, connect with friends on-screen through Video Kinect and watch for exclusive discounts and offers for our new market members

When will features like Netflix, Zune, Facebook, Twitter etc. be available?

We realize that Xbox 360 customers around the world want enjoy to the full breadth of features Xbox LIVE has to offer. We don’t have any announcements right now, but we are actively working to scale the service internationally.

What is available for free on Xbox LIVE?

People with a free Xbox LIVE subscription can access the Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace, free game demos and can also message their friends.

Xbox LIVE Features

• Create your own digital identity with your personal Avatar, a Gamertag, and personalized gamer profile
• Access to downloadable content from Xbox LIVE Games Marketplace such as Xbox LIVE Arcade games, Games on Demand demos, and dashboard themes
• Earn single-player Achievements to contribute to a common Gamerscore account across both platforms – Games for Windows—LIVE and Xbox LIVE
• Unified friends list and online presence regardless of platform
• Send and receive text, voice and picture messages
• Engage in private, one-on-one voice chat with your friends
• All the benefits on Games for Windows - LIVE

Why should people upgrade to Gold?

If you upgrade to an Xbox LIVE Gold membership, you will receive access to everything the best gaming network in the industry has to offer, including multiplayer gaming, cross-experience voice chat, video chatting with friends via Video Kinect and exclusive discounts to content.

Xbox LIVE Gold Features

* All the features of a standard LIVE membership, as well as the following:

• Access to Xbox LIVE Parties, where you can voice chat, text or share photos with up to seven friends online.
• The best multiplayer gaming network in the industry
• Exclusive access to game demos before all other Xbox LIVE members
• Enhanced matchmaking and feedback tools, including TrueSkill™ matchmaking

Will Games for Windows – LIVE be available?

Yes. Games for Windows – LIVE is the same service as Xbox LIVE, just accessible through PC. That means your same friends list, achievements, Gamerscore, and reputation are exactly the same on both services – you log in with the same user information. Games for Windows – LIVE is available wherever Xbox LIVE is, and in addition, we will be introducing Games on Demand for full game downloads in the new LIVE regions.

Are you going to allow users in all countries to migrate their account from the US (or other region) to their local service?

Yes, users will be able to migrate their accounts to the official LIVE service when it launches.

Why would anyone migrate if there is less functionality on the local service?

Xbox LIVE is first and foremost a community. We think people will take pride in building their own country’s Xbox LIVE communities, and will also enjoy the tailored content they receive. Additionally, those who currently access Xbox LIVE through an unsupported method can have negative experiences as they don’t have access to local support. We think the community in South Africa will opt for the best experience possible.

If I don’t migrate will my Xbox LIVE account be disconnected?

No, but if you connect to LIVE today through a different region you are doing so via an unsupported method. In November you will be able to join the official LIVE network in South Africa which will offer tailored content and local support.

If I migrate to the local service, will I be able to migrate back to my original account?

At this point in time, you will not be able to migrate back to your original account.

If I migrate to the official local Xbox LIVE network, will my account details change?

You get to keep the same profile details, including Gamertag, Gamer Score, Achievements, Tenure and Friends Lists.

Will I keep my Game Saves?

Yes. You will get to keep your Game Saves.

Will I keep my Microsoft Points?

Yes. You will get to keep your Microsoft Points.

Will I keep any remaining subscription time on my Xbox LIVE account?

Yes. Any time remaining on your existing LIVE account will be transferred to your new account (and rounded up to the nearest month).

Will I keep my download content e.g. games, videos, music and apps?

Yes. You will get to keep all the downloaded content stored on your hard-drive.

Will I be able to re-download purchased content prior to migration e.g. games, videos, music and apps?

Yes, you will be able to re-download purchased content prior to migration and you should store the content on a hard drive or USB flash drive.

Will I be able to re-download purchased content after migration?

Our goal is to allow members to re-download all of their purchased content after migrating accounts, and we’re actively working to address this. However, at this point in time, once you migrate you will no longer be able to re-download content. Members should re-download purchased content to their hard drive or USB flash drive prior to migrating.

How do I migrate my account?

1. Sign in to Xbox LIVE and go to My Account page
2. Click on Account Region
3. Select your country
4. Follow the steps outlined. Remember to re-download your content to a USB flash drive or your hard drive before continuing
5. Read and accept the Terms of Use
6. Your account will now be migrated to the LIVE offering in your chosen country
7. Select membership level: Silver or Gold
8. For Gold membership you will required to enter your billing information
9. You are now a member of the official LIVE in South Africa. Congratulations!

What are Game Add-ons?

Xbox LIVE lets you extend the life of your favorite games. From new episodes of blockbuster titles to new levels and maps of Xbox 360 exclusives, Xbox LIVE brings extended adventure, excitement and fun to millions of Xbox 360 owners worldwide.

What is Games on Demand?

Games on Demand lets people download and play featured Xbox 360 games right from the comfort of their own living room, offering more choice and convenience when shopping for games. Now you have 24 x 7 access to a growing library of favorites right on your Xbox 360.

How does Games on Demand work?

Much like other entertainment content and games you can download on Xbox LIVE, Games on Demand provides you with a library of full titles you can download on your Xbox 360 whenever you want them, in the comfort of your own living room.

Do you plan to offer Games on Demand the same date of retail release in the future?

For the first time, we are providing 24 x 7 access to a growing online library of popular full game titles. We’re incredibly excited about this and what it means for digital distribution. We know that our services will continue to evolve and retail will continue to evolve.

What if I don’t have enough space available?

A hard drive is required to download and play Games on Demand. If you try to purchase a

Games on Demand title, but your Xbox 360 does not have a hard drive, you will receive an error message, and you will not be able to complete the purchase. If your Xbox 360 has a hard drive, but there is not enough open space available for the title you are purchasing, then you will be able to complete your purchase, but the title will not download until you clear sufficient space on your hard drive.

What are Microsoft Points?

Microsoft Points are Microsoft’s universal currency. You can purchase Microsoft Points with rands, which are then used to redeem content on Xbox LIVE Marketplace including games and movies. Points may be purchased through the Xbox 360 Dashboard using a credit card, via the Microsoft Points cards that can be purchased at participating retail outlets, or through managing their account on Xbox.com.

What are Family Settings?

Xbox 360 Family Settings are tools that let parents and caregivers decide who their children can interact with online, what video games can be played and for how long, and what movies and other content can be accessed.

Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE offer some of the most advanced Family Settings in the entertainment industry. Our Family Settings enable parents and caregivers to choose the right play and viewing settings for their families, so that their kids only see content that is appropriate for their age. In addition, our Xbox LIVE Family Settings allow everyone to configure their account settings to customize what information is shared and the level of online communication with others, and allows parents to manage these settings for their children’s accounts.

Xbox LIVE officially launches in South Africa on 10 November.