So i'm a cheap-ass, n' i've got a second-hand x-box. i got halo 2 for my birthday, n' the only real use for that is online play. but i don't feel like dishing out the $50 a year to billy g, so i looked online for other ways. i found a program that you run on your computer and sets u up in a lan-type of setting with other people. so far it's been working sweet. if u wanna check it out, go to
www.xbconnect.com. it's a bit harder than x-box live, but it's free, so i think it's totally worth it. let me kno what u think.