New to the online play thing, a little info please

[Scooter]

My newest console is a PS2. I've played on a friend's PS3 and Xbox 360 and he's been on me to finally go modern. I'd have to say if I bought a new console today, it would be the 360.

If I get a 360, is there any way I can go online and find my friend and surprise him with a challenge to play some games or do I need to know his online personna first?

Is hooking up for online play as simple as plugging the ethernet cable into my DSL modem's ethernet outlet and establishing an account? I'd need a really freakin' long cable since I'm not wireless and my gaming center is about 30 feet from my computer room. Best Buy sells a 50 foot cable for $20 though.

[Pulsar_t]

A few points you should keep in mind
1) Live for netplay isn't free
2) There's a lot of scum playing on Live, if you tolerate the verbal abuse go ahead, but if not then steer clear
3) Cabled is more reliable (and cheaper) than wireless. Don't sweat it too much. It's all pretty straightforward.

I'm not sure about gamertags though..

[Scooter]

The 360 Pro comes with a year of Silver Live. I wouldn't look to play online with just anyone, I'd only be looking to play along with a few friends I actually know already.

What's the real difference between Silver and Gold anyway?

One other question: can I get by with the 360 Arcade and still play online if I buy an ethernet cable?

[Pulsar_t]

The arcade is a no-go for online play, and Gold is the only way to play unfortunately! You will need the hard disk for patches and the like. I say go for the Pro since it's a good deal.

http://www.xb360info.com/xbox/xbox-live/110

This links explains the various Live account types. I still don't have an answer with regard to gamertags. I suppose players can be anonymous so play it safe and plan the games with your friends before your first go.

[Doctor Fugue]

Everyone has a gamertag, and you use the same one across all games. You won't be able to surprise your friends unless you know their gamertag and manage to find out exactly what game they are hosting or involved with. After you meet a couple of nice people to play with, add them to your friends list; or if you know them already personally just ask for their gamertag. Either way you don't have to play with screaming boys. Just always use private matches if you want to avoid the annoying people.

[Scooter]

Cripes! I'd lay out $300 for a 360 Pro, however much more for X amount of games, an extra long ethernet cable (at least in my situation) and I'd STILL need to ante up for the ability to actually play head to head on Live. A feature, I might add, I probably won't use more than once or twice a month. I'd rather play together in person, but most games don't even accommodate multiplayer play!

Now I know why I've never grown beyond the PS2. I think I'm going to skip the 360 revolution. At least with the even more overpriced PS3 you end up with a Blu-Ray player as well. I for one will be staying retro!

[Pulsar_t]

Nothing wrong with that. I wish I could recommend a PC upgrade since many console games do come (eventually) to PC, except some Japanese ones of course, and multiplayer is free, but the recent trend has been bad ports for the PC. Can't wrong go with a PC though, just don't overdo the videocard investment.

[Doctor Fugue]

I just want to clarify that you don't need a hard drive for online play. The Arcade system (179 right now I think) is perfectly capable; it comes with a memory card for gamesaves and space for a few XBLA titles.

I understand your reluctance to take the plunge. For what it's worth, I thought I would never play an online game in my life, but now I play quite a bit online and I have a great time.

[Pulsar_t]

But aren't games patched all the time? With PC titles all players need to have the same version and unpatched players usually left out.

[Harvey]

I thought that you could play head to head with just the silver internet plan (that comes free I think?). I had planned to get a 360 Pro eventually for the added bonus of online play, but I may just get the Arcade and forego the online play if I'll have to pay extra to play online.

I think Microsoft has done a poor job of describing to the public exactly what the differences between their different 360 packages are and the difference in their internet plans.