On November 15, Microsoft launches its Xbox Live broadband network and stakes its initial claim in the upcoming online console gaming war.

For $49.99, Xbox owners will receive a one-year membership to the service, along with the Xbox Live starter kit. Included in this kit are the Communicator headset, an Xbox Live dongle/memory card, and even a free game, Re-volt (which, despite being merely a port of a three-year-old Dreamcast game, is remarkably entertaining when played online and a pretty cool freebie to get you started).

Setup is easy: Simply plug in your cable or DSL connection into the Ethernet port on the back of your console, enter some simple information, and you’re up and running. Each player will pick his or her own “Gamer Tag,” which will serve as his or her permanent online handle across all of Xbox Live. The service launches with seven titles, including Unreal Championship, NFL 2K3, NFL Fever 2003, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon, NBA 2K3, Mech Assault and Whacked!.

We’ve had our beta kits for a couple of weeks now, and Xbox Live appears to be delivering on all of its promises. Setup is a snap, the Communicator works flawlessly, and we’ve experienced very little lag when playing online. While we’re still waiting on the big games—Unreal Championship, Project Ego and *drool* Halo 2 (which is still a year away)—one thing is for sure: The online gaming revolution is about to begin, and Xbox owners are at the front of the pack.

Copyright © 2002 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Game Now.