With all the online gaming talk and excitement going on revolving around the
Xbox Live launch, coming later this year, we’ve opened up a new section here
at XboxSolution: The XBS Tournaments Section. In the upcoming weeks we’ll
be adding dates, times and details on the tournaments. Now don’t get scared,
the tournaments aren’t going to be based on who is the best Halo fighter, sniper,
or assasin, so if you’re not the best at your game, it’s OK.

The main point
is to get some relationships going with other members, come Xbox Live launch
time, you’ll already have lots of online gaming experience, as well as a slew
of buddies to add to your Xbox Friends list! The tournaments will only become
more fierce once Xbox Live has launched. Check this section as well as our XboxSolution
Tounaments Forum for the latest dates and online gatherings.

The tournaments will be played mainly on none other than GameSpy’s Arcade and
Tunnel Software. Did that sound like Japanese to you? That’s alright, because
our very own Gronar
(the Snaggle-toothed Troll) has been kind enough to provide a few pointer’s
to get your Xbox connected quickly and easily.

Read on to find out more about connecting through
the GameSpy software . . .

What you’ll need:
– A Microsoft Xbox console [hmmm . . . OK]
– A supported game (currently Halo, MotoGP, Nascar Heat 2002, Tony Hawk
2x, Tony Hawk 3)
– A FAST broadband connection. You will need at least 128kbps upstream
bandwidth for most games, although Halo can require up to 256kbps upstream bandwidth
per player in the game. If your connection is not fast enough you WILL experience
lag and connection loss problems. No modem support is available or planned.

– A supported network configuration. Most types of home networks are
supported. Basically you just need to be able to plug your Xbox into the same
LAN as your computer is on.

Snaggle-tooth quote: “You must have your computer hooked
up to a broadband network with either a network hub or 2 network jacks on you
system. I just bought a cheap $25, 9 port hub. Download the GameSpy
Arcade and the GameSpy
Tunnel software. Install it.” [sounds pretty simple!]

OK, got it, good! . . .

More Snaggle-tooth commentary: After all is installed, hook your
Xbox to the hub along with your system. (Cable modem directly to the hub,
computer and Xbox connect to ports on the hub.) Run Gamespy arcade and click
on the Xbox logo under the My Games icon. (Wait for the friggin’ commercial
to run and then close it with the blue X) Choose which game you want to
play. From there either create a game or join one, you should have your Xbox
running and select multiplayer or system link. From there you will be in the
game chat room with a ready button and launch game button on the top. If your
hosting, launch, if just joining hit ready.

Now on your tv screen [you need a TV!] the Xbox should be looking
for others on the system link or mutliplayer, once one is found hit the button
it says to join the game.

I know this is kind of basic, and leaves out a lot of other Gamespy features,
but it will get you going. – Gronar Snaggletooth

Well, that doesn’t seem too hard now does it? If you find you’re running into
problems, take a look at GameSpy’s
Support page for the Tunnel Software, or ask in our Forums. And for God’s
sake, Have fun! Make sure you announce your gatherings in the forums
in advance for best turnout results. Major gatherings will be announced right
on the front page of XboxSolution. Oh, by the way, feel free to comment on this
article if you found it helpful.

Filed under: Tournaments

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