After the recent demise of cable TV in our flat, the rise of the xbox 360 as our entertainment centre has gone unabated. One of the compelling features of the 360 that I was relunctant to commit to recently came into fruition and its this experience that I want to tell ya’ll about.

xbox live is an online gaming service that encompasses a range of features that make it very hard to ever stop playing games, talking games, thinking about games and buying games. Imagine bringing together Voice over IP, instant message buddy lists, next generation graphics, the latest video games, a worldwide leaderboards for gaming acheivements and downloadable free demos.

Getting access to this communal gaming experience involves the 360 hardware of course but in addition, a yearly $50 ‘Gold level’ membership. Stategically, Microsoft allows everyone with a 360 to have an automatic ‘Silver level’ membership for free. Silver membership gives you access to just enough of the xbox live experience that it’s only a matter time before you collapse under the pressure. You see, while Silver level membership lets you keep track of your achievements, download and play demos, have fun with xbox live arcade games, the most critical part of the online gaming experience is missing. Namely, talking shit to complete strangers while you virtually smash their face in.

So the other day I finally caved in after almost four months of xbox 360 ownership. And the game that made it all happen? Rockstar Table Tennis. It’s ping pong dude. Straight up ping pong. No end of level bosses, no special moves, no hidden ‘hot coffee’ easter eggs. Just pure, beautiful, subtle table tennis.

But the other night I played with two people and after a great couple of rounds of table tennis we’re now ‘friends’. xbox live BFFs if you will. Real friends that exist in the flesh obviously take a back seat here. The best part of all this is that one of my BFFs is 13 and called Billy. For real. The other one is under house arrest for 90 days. After the kicking my newly incarated friend’s ass on table tennis, I realised that 90 days of uninteruppted gaming will only improve his skills at Table Tennis.

The victims of crime can come in many forms.