I would definitely say yes. In my opinion, the 3 points you raise for the case against aren't points that discount it from being a social network at all. It just means it's a more closed and niche social network. I don't think a social network needs to be open to be considered a social network.
Facebook, for example, when it first started was limited to college students. That didn't discount it from being a social network. It just meant it was a social network with a fixed target group - college students.
In the same way, the Xbox Live is a social network, but a social network purely for Xbox gamers. Having the barriers to entry, and the "lack of functionality", are just ways to define it's niche and focus, in my opinion. It's still a place where you can meet and build connections with others. As such, it's a social network.
That's my opinion, anyway. =).
John Wall
· 1 year ago
Damn straight it is. Good thing you gave the correct answer, I'd hate to have to make a special trip to kick your ass.
The fact that you can actually talk with people in the network puts it a step above most of the crap out there.
I'm looking forward to the fall upgrade to the UI too. My gamertag is jwol3.
Matt J McDonald
· 1 year ago
@Derrick I'm right there with you. I just wanted to provide a balanced look at things by presenting the most common arguments I've heard. Some people feel pretty strongly against XBL being a social network, and while I can understand their sentiments, I don't agree. Thanks for reading!
@John (senor beast) After the blatant threats on my physical safety I am also glad I made the right call! And I agree that there is an element of live communication that sets XBL apart from a lot of "regular" social networks.
James
· 1 year ago
hi Mrs rissling.
Ellie - Familienrecht Rechtsan
· 11 months ago
People are used to watch the world through the window frame of their browsers and there is another vent light of social connection. That's good that there are some examples of major social networks and all these pluses and minuses that the clients should know what they are buying, because indeed they will cough up for this application. My verdict: a heck of a lot of info, but the entire idea isn’t really cool.
play online games
· 7 months ago
I would say yes as well as like Ellie said it's a form of social networking too.
Nubby101
· 3 months ago
I certainly think it's a social network..i chat with my buddies on it a lot and interact with games more sociably because of it, but I feel it lacks the ability to include every gamer, because of ps3, wii, etc...you really need an overall network such as http://gamefriends.com or the network will always have limitations, even if it is very social.
All Comments
Facebook, for example, when it first started was limited to college students. That didn't discount it from being a social network. It just meant it was a social network with a fixed target group - college students.
In the same way, the Xbox Live is a social network, but a social network purely for Xbox gamers. Having the barriers to entry, and the "lack of functionality", are just ways to define it's niche and focus, in my opinion. It's still a place where you can meet and build connections with others. As such, it's a social network.
That's my opinion, anyway. =).
The fact that you can actually talk with people in the network puts it a step above most of the crap out there.
I'm looking forward to the fall upgrade to the UI too. My gamertag is jwol3.
I'm right there with you. I just wanted to provide a balanced look at things by presenting the most common arguments I've heard. Some people feel pretty strongly against XBL being a social network, and while I can understand their sentiments, I don't agree. Thanks for reading!
@John (senor beast)
After the blatant threats on my physical safety I am also glad I made the right call! And I agree that there is an element of live communication that sets XBL apart from a lot of "regular" social networks.