XBOX and internet

[PlayersNo6]

Hi all. After persistent asking we bought our 14 year old son an XBOX for Xmas with FIFA 14 (seemingly the only suitable game for teens)

He now wants our broadband pass-code so that he can link up the XBOX to his ipad FIFA account or similar... He's not been allowed this until now - so that he cannot browse the internet on his ipad upstairs, instead using the kitchen laptop like everyone else.

Can someone explain to me why he needs broadband for the XBOX and if we let him him have it, what can he then access.

Thanks

[Rick101]

Bah! let the lad on internet, Won't be owt he hasn't seen already!

To be honest the XBOX does really need a net connection to make it as good as it should be. If you're concerned, why not just have stern rules about what he can and cannot do on it?

[Timbergiant]

which Xbox is it? the new One or a 360, I think the One does have a web browser, not sure about the 360, mine is set to auto start the game so I've never really checked.
I'm sure it will have parental settings either way but you'd need to have a look for them and set them up to keep him away from the net in general.

Xbox live is what he'll be wanting to access, lets you play against real people not just the machine, lots of added extras on games through it.

[tim2100]

The broadband will allow certain features to be available, plus console updates.

I think it does not have a browser built in.

[BenM77]

If you don't want him to have the wifi code then you could set up the network settings yourself. Once it is done then you will not need to do it again.

Fairly gob smacked that at 14 he is just getting a games console !

[Quikcurl]

360 does have a web browser. Or at least it will have when it catches up with the many, many updates!

ETA: There are fairly decent parental controls for the 360, including blocking Internet Exlorer access completely, and dictating what games can be played. I think there is even a mechanism for allowing/disallowing/limiting ability to buy stuff.

Link

Edited by Quikcurl on Saturday 28th December 20:31

[PlayersNo6]

Thanks for the replies. It's a 360 he has.

It's not his first games console - so far he's already had a Gameboy, Playstation, Wii, PSP, ipod touch and an ipad. Hasn't been allowed the internet on the apple gadgets (as we have a communal laptop for the internet) but is now insisting it's required for the XBOX hence my question.

Will have a look at the settings etc later.

[MysteryLemon]

As above, a bang upto date 360 has a stripped down version of internet explorer for net browsing.

If the console is new it's likely got it already but if it's older, chances are there will be hours if updates to install as soon as you let it connect.

Also worth mentioning that the online services on the 360 aren't free! You need a live membership to do anything in game online and a lot of the dashboard apps won't work without live either.

I've no idea if IE works without live or not but I highly doubt FIFA will do anything online without live.

[Quikcurl]

PlayersNo6 said:

Can someone explain to me why he needs broadband for the XBOX and if we let him him have it, what can he then access.

Sorry, me again, I re-read the OP and realised I didn't answer the question.
Giving the code will allow him to play with/against his friends who have the same setup. This is the best bit of FIFA IMO. He will also be able to browse games to download, send messages to friends, Update the console/games etc, watch youtube, and do many of the things you can on a regular PC.

As I said above you can limit this quite effectively according to Microsoft, although I have never tried it as I do not (yet!) have children.

I suspect the main reason he will want it is to play FIFA with his mates.

[MysteryLemon]

^ I imagine you will be able to disable internet explorer.

As I said though, you cant just plug the internet in... You have to register and pay monthly for a live account.

[Justayellowbadge]

MysteryLemon said:

^ I imagine you will be able to disable internet explorer.

As I said though, you cant just plug the internet in... You have to register and pay monthly for a live account.

12 months upfront is 30 odd quid.

[Quikcurl]

MysteryLemon said:

...you cant just plug the internet in... You have to register and pay monthly for a live account.

Ah yes. I may have forgot this little point.It's been so long since I had to do it. The dangers of auto-renewing subscriptions!

[Tonsko]

Just be aware that FIFA, when online, will allow you to buy lots of players etc. So if you're concerned, lock out the payment options.

[Rick101]

TBH Xbox is pretty pointless without the online aspect.

What are you worried he will do?

[Lurking Lawyer]

Rick101 said:

TBH Xbox is pretty pointless without the online

Rubbish.

True, the kid wouldn't be able to play online games but there's plenty of SP gaming that doesn't require Internet access.

Whether he'd be happy with that is another question, as is whether the console was being put to best use, but your statement is at best overstatement and at worst just plain wrong.

[mrmr96]

Lurking Lawyer said:

Rick101 said:

TBH Xbox is pretty pointless without the online

Rubbish.

True, the kid wouldn't be able to play online games but there's plenty of SP gaming that doesn't require Internet access.

Whether he'd be happy with that is another question, as is whether the console was being put to best use, but your statement is at best overstatement and at worst just plain wrong.

My understanding of fifa14 is that buying and trading players online is important to the game.

This will be more prevalent in things like forza etc too. Which don't include many cars n circuit min the box but sell them as add one which require Internet to download.

[jackh707]

Rick101 said:

TBH Xbox is pretty pointless without the online aspect.

I have to agree, using a modern console without it connected to broadband is like running a caterham and then never taking it on a track. It will work fine without the internet but you are missing the best part of the experience.

At 14, most games are suitable IMHO, with the borderline exception of GTA.

[Lurking Lawyer]

mrmr96 said:

My understanding of fifa14 is that buying and trading players online is important to the game.

This will be more prevalent in things like forza etc too. Which don't include many cars n circuit min the box but sell them as add one which require Internet to download.

True, but that's not what Rick101 said.

Using your example, Forza is still wholly playable without any of the DLC.

Like I said, you can debate whether the console is being used to its full advantage without net access, but to say its pointless just isn't right.

TBH, the OP should be able to deal with his concerns by just using built in Family Settings and a password his son isn't going to be able to guess!

Edited by Lurking Lawyer on Sunday 29th December 11:00

[Rick101]

Well I have a 360, i'm using it less these days as I game on the PC. What I do use it for is Youtube, iPlayer and Netflix.
None of which would work without an internet connection. When I did game, I played COD. I never ever played the actual game on the disk. From brand new I went straight to multiplayer for online matches. The competition is leagues ahead of just playing against the computer.

Yes, it will work without one, but what's the point? It would be rubbish. May as well have got a old console like a SNES or Megadrive or something.

[Quikcurl]

It largely depends what games you play I think. For example, assassin's creed is (for me) all about single player whereas things like fifa I have not played offline since uni days. Forza I play both on and offline, gta I play on and offline.