A Quick Look at Video Game Consoles and the Internet

Hello again, Parents and Gamers!

Some of you may already be well-acquainted with using your video game systems on the internet. I don't doubt that half of you or your little gamer hop on Xbox Live or PlayStation Network at least once a week to either play a game with friends or maybe watch a movie. But of course, there are plenty of parents and gamers alike at that do not use their system on the internet for a number of different reasons. Today's article will be examining some points that you may consider concerning "logging on".

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1) What services are available?

• Xbox 360 / Xbox Live:
• Xbox Live is one of the largest internet-based video game service there is. Working through the Xbox 360 video game console, this service not only offers players the opportunity to play games with other players through the internet, but much, much more. Players can watch movies through Netflix, download demos to try games before they buy them, purchase older or independently developed games, buy additional content to add on to their game, chat with friends, watch ESPN, and more.
• PlayStation 3 / PlayStation Network:
• PlayStation Network is the other major hitter in the video-game internet war. Running through the PlayStation 3 console, players are able to play with their friends via the internet as well as a huge range of other options. PlayStation Network users can also watch movies and TV shows through Netflix, access the internet through the console's internet browser (which functions similarly to a browser on your home computer), purchase older or independent games, listen to and download a huge variety of music, purchase additional content for their games, chat with friends, and even access other Sony devices like PlayStation Portable directly through their console.
• Nintendo Wii:
• The Nintendo Wii offers a decent online video game service with two major focuses. First off, with those games that have a focus for online gameplay, players are able to connect to friends around the world and play against them via the internet. Secondly, players are also able to browse a wide variety of video games from Nintendo's past and current libraries and purchase/download them to their console. Additionally, players are able to access additional content for certain titles in order to add to their available gameplay. Players are also able to purchase and download the "Internet Browser" channel that allows them to use their Wii as an internet browser, like that on a computer.

2) How much does it cost?

• Xbox 360 / Xbox Live:
• While Xbox offers a free "Silver" account to try out their services, the real meat and potatoes for this program is through a "Gold" account. While there are a couple of different payment plans, the two majorly accepted ones are on the basis of 3 Months for $24.99 or 12 Months for $59.99, excluding any deals taking place at the time. This cost entitles players to all of the available online services, including online multiplayer gameplay. Games and additional content cost extra to purchase and download.
• PlayStation 3 / PlayStation Network:
• PlayStation Network, as a whole, is completely free to access and use, including multiplayer functionality. From there, a number of extra services, such as "Music Unlimited", Sony's internet-based music service, will have minor memberships fees and cost that very based on the program. Likewise, players will be additional to purchase and download games or additional content from PlayStation Network. Finally, PlayStation Network offers a "PlayStation Plus" membership, which is a paid for version of the online service that not only entitles players to reduced costs and deals on a variety games, content, and more, but it sometimes even gives games to players for free. PlayStation Plus costs $17.99 for 3 Months of $49.99 for 12 Months.
• Nintendo Wii:
• The Nintendo Wii offers free online services to connect and play with others online, however players will expect to pay if they intend to use any extra "channels", or programs on the Wii, such as the Internet Browser, or if they want to download new games or additional content.

3) How do I pay for stuff online?

• Xbox 360 / Xbox Live:
• Xbox Live uses what is referred to as "Microsoft Points"; quite literally a form of online currency that has a direct translation into cash. These points equally out to roughly 800 points to ever $10 USD and are generally used to purchase such things as games or additional content via Xbox Live. These points can be purchased either online or through participating retailers.
• PlayStation 3 / PlayStation Network:
• PlayStation Network favors a direct translation of monetary value. Rather than using an online currency, players are able to simply buy pre-paid cards or transfer funds to their PlayStation Network account and are can see exactly what they have. These pre-paid cards can be located at participating retailers. These funds can be used for a variety of services, including games and additional content.
• Nintendo Wii:
• Nintendo Wii uses a points system called "Nintendo Points" which services as a form of online currency. These points are equal to 100 points to every $1 USD, i.e. 1000 points to $10 USD, on and on, etc. etc. These points are obviously used for the purchase of games and extra content, but are also used to unlock extra "channels", or programs on the Wii, like the "Internet Browser".

4) How easy is it to set up?

• Xbox 360 / Xbox Live:
• Getting everything together to get the initial set-up can be a bit frustrating if you own one of the older models. This system will allow you to either plug in a "Cat-5" Ethernet cable (what is plugged into your internet router) or use a wireless connection if you have Wireless Internet in your house. If you have an older model system (easy to tell by whether or not it says Kinect Ready on it...if it doesn't, than it is an old model) than you will have to acquire a "Network Adapter" in order to use Wireless Internet. Once this is done, players will set up a Network Connection. Once this phase has completed, they will create or hook up to their Xbox Live account (depending on if the account before hand).
• PlayStation 3 / PlayStation Network:
• Relatively simple to get going, rather similar to a laptop. This system can use either a wired Cat-5" Ethernet cable (what is plugged into your internet router) or use wireless internet. Simply go to Network Settings and set it up based on whether your internet will be wired or wireless. Once you have selected the proper network that you want to connect to, the system will very likely want you to perform an update, which it will either do automatically for you or it will simply ask you to hit the "system update" button.
• Nintendo Wii
• Generally incredibly easy so long as you have wireless internet. If you have a wired connection, you will have to acquire a "LAN Adapter" that will plug into the back of the Wii and allow you to use a "Cat-5" Ethernet cable (what is plugged into your internet router). However, once you have established whether you will be going wired or wireless, simply go to "Wii Settings" and select any "Connection" box to set it up. Just follow the instructions on screen and you're all done.

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And that's it for the day! We would like to thank you for joining us again and encourage you to stop by tomorrow for a new article of The News. As always, if you have any questions, simply shoot it to us in an e-mail at the address provided or just leave it in the comment section below. We will get back to you as quick as we can. Thanks again and we hope and have a wonderful day.