Well, it arrives in a box that is just slightly larger than three Xbox games stacked on top of each other. As you can see in this picture, there is not a lot included with the Xbox package.

"Xbox Live is the first comprehensive, world-class online game service that is fully dedicated to fast-action, always connected, broadband gaming experiences." - Microsoft

The arrival of Xbox Live is more revolutionary than it appears at first notice. The design goals of Xbox Live were difficult, but not impossible, for Microsoft to reach. Microsoft wanted Xbox Live to enable gamers to find their gaming friends easily, be able to talk to other players during game play through the Xbox Communicator headset, download current statistics, download new levels and characters, and, of course, to play Xbox Live online. While perhaps the "play online goal" was the easiest design goal, the others required an exceptional amount of development.

Did you heed the call?

If you purchased NFL Fever 2003, for example, when you opened the case you were greeted with a blister pack included with the instructions booklet, advising that Microsoft was seeking beta testers to be among the first to experience Xbox Live. This beta program ran from August 2002 to October 2002, and testers were rewarded with a 12-month subscription to Xbox Live for going through the effort of testing Xbox Live. Since we were not asked to participate in the beta test, we can't tell you much about the beta; but things must have gone fairly smoothly, because on November 15th, Microsoft rolled out Xbox Live to the masses.

Currently, Xbox Live is available only in the North America. Current plans call for Microsoft to roll out Xbox Live in Japan on January 16th 2003 and in Europe on March 14th 2003. Microsoft recently began beta testing Xbox Live in Japan and Europe, and as far as we know, those beta tests are continuing.