Facebook and Twitter for X-Box LIVE comes to SA

Social media integration is all the rage. Only a few months ago Microsoft launched Xbox LIVE, an online multiplayer gaming network, in South Africa now it has announced the integration of Facebook and Twitter into the product.

“A ‘My Community’ channel will also be added to the LIVE Dash and will launch on both the Standard and Family Dashboards. This is part of our ongoing commitment to providing quality gaming and entertainment in the living room,” says Microsoft South Africa.

The new channel will only be available to X-Box Live Gold members.

The addition of Facebook and Twitter creates a social media element which Microsoft claims will add to the “depth of experience the Xbox LIVE service has to offer”. Xbox LIVE launched less than three months ago in six new EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) countries, which according to Microsoft makes a total of 35 LIVE enabled countries globally.

According to Microsoft over 630 000 hours of multiplayer gameplay have been accumulated across all six launch countries in that time.

“Xbox LIVE now has over 30-million members across the world, each spending on average 40 hours a month, meaning that in total members are logging over 1-billion hours a month worldwide. We’re excited that you are now part of this,” says Microsoft.

The new Facebook and Twitter features allow the users to connect with friends while interacting with the gaming network on TV. Users are also able to share real-time status updates and photos with friends, check out photo galleries on the big screen or share your favourite gaming moments on Facebook right from their television. Users are able to read and post tweets via their Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE