Another feature that was shown off at E3 this year was the addition of video chat support. Utilizing a special camera that hasn't been unveiled yet (it's probably similar to the PS2's EyeToy peripheral), you'll be able to set up a chat with at least 3 friends. Of all of the upcoming Xbox Live features, this is probably the most intriguing to many people. Imagine a group of businessmen being able to snatch the controllers from their kids' hands and have a group teleconference from home. There are also a lot of possibilities for using it as a webcam of sorts, for both family friendly and slightly dirtier activities.

The biggest potential addition, however, could come thanks to Microsoft's new XNA technology. Not only will there be a possibility that Xbox Live gamers will be able to compete against their PC brethren, but there's a chance that we'll be seeing things like user-created mods. In many ways, however, this could be a pipe dream, mostly because the two platforms are so different, especially when talking about security issues. On one hand, the PC is an inherently insecure platform, as it's relatively easy to utilize hacks and cheats. Thankfully, that's one thing that we don't really have to worry about (yet) when playing on Xbox Live. There also has to be some thought given to the advantages a mouse/keyboard setup has over an Xbox controller, and vice versa. Still, playing against the millions of PC gamers would definitely be a blast.

Who'd win in a fight: Xbox gamers or their PC friends?

When it comes to Xbox Live functionality, the possibilities are nearly endless. In many ways, Live is still in its infancy, and there's a lot of room for growth. File sharing, web browsing, media streaming, and countless other features could be possible, although we probably won't be seeing any of them with this generation's console. Still, even if we have to wait until the release of Xbox 2 (or Xenon, or whatever you want to call it), I have a feeling that Microsoft is building toward a bigger and better future on Live.

[My So-Called Live is written by Will Tuttle, who promises that he'll never charge people to watch him strip over video chat. He'll do it for free.]

Have any questions? Feel like challenging me to a game online? Any topics you'd like to suggest for future columns? Drop me a line! I promise I'll write back if you're nice. Or even if you're not.