An Xbox 360 Live membership allows you to take advantage of all the content on the Xbox website as well as your gaming console. Without membership you can’t shop in the Marketplace or chat with other gamers and you also can’t download free content that is offered to members.

Every Xbox system comes with a free Silver membership. You can activate this by connecting your Xbox to a broadband internet connection, going to the Xbox website and downloading a software update. Follow the instructions as they guide you through creating your free account and you’ll be ready to explore all the options and choices you have with your Xbox 360 live membership.

Once you have activated your membership you can start your game play and start chatting with friends and making new ones. Browse the game add-ons and games on demand, download some arcade games, make your avatar fashionable, try out the voice and text chat and enjoy free game demos. That sounds like a lot more fun than the old non-interactive game systems!

You may want to upgrade your membership to Gold for even more goodies. A Gold membership allows you, if you’re a member of Netflix, to access Netflix’ extensive library of streaming movies and TV shows right there on your gaming console. You’ll also be able to video chat, share your photos, play games with people from all over the world, invite your friends (both in the physical and virtual world) to Xbox Live parties and have access to exclusive content and downloads.

While Silver membership gives you the basics that makes your game play more enjoyable, Gold lets you in on the total Xbox experience. An annual membership is just less than $50, or about $4.15 a month. You will spend more than that on one gaming magazine! Gold membership is also available on a monthly or quarterly basis but the annual is the most economical.

Activating your Xbox 360 live membership allows you access to some of the most intense gaming experience available today, plus many extras and access to the global gaming community!