Johannesburg

Saturday

Sunny. Nippy.

2°C
15°C

7 day forecasts

Xbox Live set to roll out in SA

2007-05-09 11:02

Ilse Arendse

Cape Town - Xbox 360 gamers who have launched an online petition to get Microsoft to roll out the Xbox Live service in SA, should hang tight.

Cindy White, Xbox 360 Group Manager, has thanked local gamers for their support and told News24 that they're "100% committed to bringing the service to South Africa".

"The Xbox team is currently working to an international roll-out plan for Xbox Live. South Africa is included in this roll-out, however we are unable to confirm exact dates for availability and functionality at this stage," White told News24.

South African Xbox 360 gamers created an online petition on Monday to get Microsoft's attention to launch its Xbox Live service here.

Xbox Live is a subscription-based online gaming service for Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles. It allows players to play games with or against other Xbox Live players from around the world.

According to the petition website, gamers have been forced to import memberships and gamerpoint cards via local e-retailers or international sites - usually at a high cost.

SA gamers also have to use workarounds, like registering a UK address to get access to the service, a gamer told News24 via e-mail.

The gamers appealed to Microsoft to:

  • Issue a statement that clarifies the status of the Xbox Live launch for South Africa and puts all the rumours currently circulating to rest;
  • Set up local billing facilities and pricing models as soon as possible to encourage the growth of the local Xbox 360 community; and
  • Make provision for existing users to easily migrate their profiles from other countries to the local Xbox Live service (for free or as close to free as possible).

    According to the gamers, XBox Live is one of the main incentives for buying an Xbox 360 and without the service it gives them a lesser product.

    But White said: "Xbox 360 is a true next-generation digital entertainment experience, that with or without Live the experiences can be enjoyed."

    Microsoft SA also committed to keep gamers updated "as and when we have more information".

    - News24

    • Comments have been closed for this article.

    Graeme Selvan 5/9/2007 12:12:57 PM
    Well I have signed the petition , I had a taste of Xbox live when I first got my box as I had trial cards, it was the next level in gaming! But now the trial cards are finished and i was using I burst to play and experienced a lot of lag as I was on overseas servers , If we got a local live service lagging issues would be a thing of the past! Now all we need is cheaper ADSL charges and we set.... AS IF THOUGH Telskum's rates are through the roof!
    Rus 5/9/2007 12:14:54 PM
    Good news at last! And local pricing for subs could be a welcome addition too. :)
    B 5/9/2007 12:32:40 PM
    Xbox Live is one of the main reasons for buying an Xbox 360. My brother in London says it's the best experience ever, playing Gears of War with a headset to bark orders at online teammates, or taunting online rivals in Test Drive Unlimited - and it would give me an opportunity to at least "spend time" with my brother who is halfway around the globe! If they can give us an underground train, then they can give us a network for gaming!
    Nico 5/9/2007 12:35:06 PM
    This is something that will boost the Xbox360 sales for sure!My bro wanted an 360 but then said not until they get local Live supported. I don't see why some countries like ourselves have to jump through hoops to get basic features that other countries have. Don't tell me it's a lack of interest. Look at this community you have here. Thank you for this site Xbox360 community! I'm off to go sign that petition.
    Johann Botha 5/9/2007 12:38:52 PM
    The main reason the petition was started is because Microsoft is going to block the South African IP's from there xbox life servers in other counties. Basically blocking all South Africans form playing online. Microsoft is being forced by the music industry to ban the users, because they have different pricing structures for music in different countries. And xbox life will start to sell music, pretty soon.
    Trevor 5/9/2007 12:42:52 PM
    Thanks a lot, for giving the matter some attention News24 and Ilse Arendse. We appreciate the assistance. Please also do a follow up story; as myself, and I am sure other XBOX LIVE fans, are afraid that this is a tap on the head to keep us content.
    Fr34ky1 5/9/2007 12:45:33 PM
    Well done all, Alot of us UK XBL gamers signed this petition and we look forward to meeting you on the battlefield some time soon :)
    Brad69 5/9/2007 1:16:44 PM
    Well we can only wait now for Microsoft to take this to the next level and see what happens from there ! Crossing Fingers !
    Regan Hendricks 5/9/2007 1:32:57 PM
    Congrats guys..... Hope all goes well, I'm buying me a x-box soon, hope the service will be up by then.
    RustyZA 5/9/2007 1:42:39 PM
    Yep, now the waiting game begins. I'll be crossing my fingers as well. A big thank you to everyone that signed the petition.
    Strifehart ZA 5/9/2007 2:50:32 PM
    In reference to "Xbox 360 is a true next-generation digital entertainment experience, that with or without Live the experiences can be enjoyed." It's obvious that White has no idea what a big part Live plays in the overall enjoyment of the console. A core factor of Next Gen (or current gen, depending on your p.o.v.) is online capabilities. Now if you drop that part or do not support it you cannot call it Next Gen.

    inside news24

    Cpt: 14-22°C Sunny. Mild. Pta: 5-18°C Sunny. Cool.
    Jhb: 2-15°C Sunny. Nippy. Bloem: 1-16°C Sunny. Nippy.
    Dbn: 15-22°C A few showers. Broken clouds. Cool. PE: 14-21°C Sprinkles early. Morning clouds. Mild.
    7 day forecasts...
    Western Cape Eastern Cape Kwazulu Natal Gauteng

    Edenvale - 22:15:36 PM Weekend Roadworks - the carriageway will be reduced to a single lane at the Linksfield Road Interchange from 7pm Saturday until 12pm Sunday - expect heavy delays towards Gilloolys Interchange More traffic reports...

    Here are the winning Lotto numbers from the Wednesday, July 1 draw.

    4, 11, 16, 17, 30, 40 Bonus 26

    Lotto Plus: 2, 11, 17, 34, 35, 48 Bonus 23

    SMS the word Lotto to 31222 to get lotto numbers sent directly to your phone.
     
    More lotto numbers...

    Jobs - Find your dream job

    Analyst Developer

    Western Cape - Cape Town
    Quiglies Solutions
    R25,000-30,000 Per Month Cost To Company Negotiable

    Developer / Analyst C# ASP.Net

    Western Cape - Cape Town
    Quiglies Solutions
    R25,000-30,000 Per Month Cost To Company Negotiable

    PORTFOLIO MANAGER

    Gauteng - Johannesburg
    Evrst Business Solutions

    Browse more jobs...
    Register your CV...
    Advertise a position
    Job alert e-mails...

    Cars - Search 1000's of new and used cars

    AUDI

    A4’s From R199 000

    VOLKSWAGEN

    New Golf GTI From R317 300

    MAZDA

    Mazda6 2.0 Original
    2009
    195900

    NISSAN

    X-Trail 2.0 4x2 MY06
    2006
    129990

    NISSAN

    Tiida 1.6 Visia+
    2007
    105990

    Property - Find a new home

    MIDSTREAM ESTATE

    Single Residential 5,500,000

    ELDOPARK

    Single Residential 2,730,000

    WOODLAND HILLS

    Single Residential 2,650,000

    Travel - Look, Book, Go!

    Escape on the Blue Train

    Looking for a holiday with a difference? Try the Blue Train! Spend two nights on the train and another two at Zimbali Lodge - meals, transfers and even golf included! For just R9680 per person sharing, there is no reason why you shouldn't book now!

    more package deals...