How does Xbox Live work?
(Last updated: 07/23/2002) Back to top Make sure you read and understand the “How does Gamespy work?” question before you read this one. Xbox Live, in contrast to Gamespy, is an actual IP-aware point-to-point online gaming system, much like pretty much ALL online PC games. When your Xbox has something to say, it puts together a properly addressed IP packet (or several) and sends it along the wire. All the routers and gateways between your Xbox and your opponent’s Xbox take care of routing the packet to its destination. Imagine your Xbox as just another computer connected to the internet and you’re on the right track. In order for this to work, then, your Xbox needs an IP address, just like any other internet-connected device. Remember what we said about System Link and Gamespy – they are broadcast systems, where none of the Xboxes really has a unique address and they all just shout at eachother. Well, Xbox Live requires that your Xbox has its own IP address and that it direct its messa
