Xbox Gaming in South Africa

It's finally here! The Xbox 360's online gaming service Xbox LIVE has officially launched in South Africa.

"This is an exciting step forward in the experience we can give our loyal and committed Xbox communities," said Robin Burrowes, Xbox LIVE product manager for Europe, Middle East & Africa. "Xbox fans in South Africa will now be able play the best games in the industry with the 25 million other Xbox LIVE users across the world who have made this their online gaming destination of choice."

The South African Xbox LIVE service offers the "core gaming and community features" from Xbox LIVE, such as online matchmaking, a friends list, Achievements, Gamerscore, as well as a tailored Games Marketplace which includes Xbox LIVE Arcade titles, demos, downloadable expansions, and more.

While basic access to Xbox LIVE is free, gamers will require an Xbox LIVE Gold membership to access premium services such as online multiplayer. Premium downloadable content is also available for purchase with Microsoft's universal online currency, MS Points. Both subscriptions and MS Points are available for purchase through Xbox LIVE and select retailers:

Gamers who've found their way onto Xbox LIVE through international accounts can also migrate their accounts to South Africa without losing their Gamertag, Gamer Score, Achievements, Tenure and Friends Lists, and to sweeten the deal, Microsoft has also revealed that anyone migrating to a South African account will receive 800 to 1600 MS Points for free, with the amount depending on how much gaming content you've downloaded in the past.

For those looking to migrate, you'll need to log onto Xbox.com and follow the below procedure:

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!

For more details on the local service, be sure to check out the extended Xbox LIVE South Africa Q&A, as well as our recent feature: Xbox LIVE South Africa: What it means for local gamers.

Now that Xbox LIVE is officially available in South Africa, will you be jumping in? Let us know in the comments below!