Xbox Live Marketplace

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Xbox Live Marketplace is a virtual market designed for Microsoft 's Xbox 360 console that allows Xbox Live subscribers to download purchased or promotional content. The service offers movie and game trailers, game demos, Xbox Live Arcade games, gamer tag images, and Xbox 360 Dashboard themes.

1 Microsoft Points
2 Xbox Live Arcade
3 Video Marketplace
4 Xbox Live Pipeline
5 Gallery
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Microsoft Points

Main article: Microsoft Points

Microsoft Points are used as scrip in the Xbox Live Marketplace, which includes the Xbox Live Arcade. These points may be purchased with a credit card through the Xbox Live Marketplace, or redeemed from gift cards purchased at a bricks and mortar business.

[edit] Xbox Live Arcade

Xbox Live Arcade on the Xbox 360 Dashboard.

Main article: Xbox Live Arcade

The service was launched beginning November 22, 2005 on the Xbox 360. The Arcade service is integrated with the Dashboard user interface, allowing for distribution through the Xbox Live Marketplace using Microsoft Points. Arcade titles on the Xbox 360 support accurate and up-to-date leaderboards, with high scores linked to a player's gamertag. Players can see where they stand in the Xbox Live community, take a look at the records set by the world's top-ranked players, or see how they match up against individuals on their friends list. Titles can also contribute to a player's Xbox Live GamerScore, with each game containing 200 Gamerpoints spread over a maximum of 12 achievements.

[edit] Video Marketplace

The Video Marketplace.

The Video Marketplace is an online service operated by Microsoft that is used to distribute television shows and movies to Xbox 360 owners. The service was launched on November 22, 2006 via Xbox Live. Initial content partners include Paramount Pictures, CBS, TBS, MTV Networks, UFC, NBC, and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. At the present time, the service is only available to users in the United States, though this can be circumvented by creating a new Xbox Live account with the location set to the United States.

Various films and TV shows are available for purchase on the Video Marketplace, including both past and present series, such as Star Trek and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.^[1] TV shows will be saved permanently while movies are only "rentals"; they will become unwatchable 24 hours after initial viewing or 14 days after purchase.

At launch, the Video Marketplace encountered widespread problems such as lengthy download times, duplicate billing for the same content, and downloads that could not complete, or for which users would have had to repay to complete.^[2] As of now everything has been fixed and is working correctly.

[edit] Xbox Live Pipeline

Xbox Live Pipeline is a website that allows users to view downloadable content available through Xbox Live Marketplace on their PC. Launched by Microsoft on October 12, 2006 the Flash-based web site that gives a user access to an easy-to-use listing of Game Downloads, Demos and Game Videos, Themes and Gamer Pictures and Media and Entertainment; plus a favorite downloads section.

As of the website launch, the site contains 6 main sections:

Game Downloads - Xbox Live Arcade games and add-ons available for existing games.
Demos and Game Videos - Downloadable demos and trailers for currently released or future release games.
Themes and Gamer Pics - Themes for the console's interface and gamer pics for a user's avatar.
Media and Entertainment - Trailers for movies, short films, sports, music, and TV content, along with videos from the gaming community.
Editor's Choice - Featured items chosen by the site's editors.
We Need Your Help - Surveys inquiring as to how to improve the site.