So i could easily google these but i thought id ask you guys anyway...

I started off the gen with just a Wii, which i assumed was all i would ever want... But around the same time i got a PC and started getting into FPS and such, which has given me a bit of a thirst for "mature" games. Hence i am thinking of buying a HD console. pretty remarkable, considering at the start of the gen i basically hated them both as their predecessors destroyed my poor gamecube, and ive only ever owned nintendo. Im not exactly sure between 360 and PS3. on one hand, the majority of 360 exclusives are on PC anyway, which i have. But the 360 is cheaper by a fair bit, although the online costs money. im split between the two :S

Anyway, how does the online compare between 360 and PS3? is the cost of xbox live worth it?

Any of you owners of both the HD twins have preference of either?

The game im most keen for, strangely enough, is fifa 10. But id probably get GTA, and uncharted if i get a PS3 or Gears if i get a 360.

In terms of online the Xbox 360 has a distinct advantage. One of the best parts of the current generation are the Arcade titles and aside from the retro titles Xbox Live is the best and every single game comes with a demo. It also has a distinct disadvantage. As the console will likely be your third system, unless you have more friends with Xbox + Live it may not be worth it for you to pay for online on what is a less important system. Also don't forget the classic Xbox 1 titles are also available for download which you can't get anywhere else.

  .In terms of game library I would say the Xbox 360 and PS3 are about equal, however the Xbox 360 does win out with the older titles both playing better on the Xbox 360 system, not coming with mandatory installs and because the system was out longer a wider variety of cheap and really good budget titles. Also remember the Xbox 360 is backwards compatible to last generation unlike the PS3.

I say it really doesn't matter which system you get. I prefer the Xbox 360s online and to me if I played online games I would go straight to the Xbox 360 system but I hate online gaming so its a moot point for me. The best part is the fact that games against people over seas has far less latency and coming from Australia/New Zealand thats kinda important as a lot of the possible opponents are going to be overseas.

I can't really help you with the online question. All I can say is that I am completely satisfied with PSN, but I have never been near XBL, nor am I big on online gaming. In fact, I'm the kind of guy that would never pay for XBL.

Personally, I think the most important to consider is what systems your friends have. If that doesn't really matter to you, then it's down to the libraries of the two.

If you like games that tell good stories, then I can definitely recommend the PS3. Again, I can't compare to the 360, but the PS3 has some awesome and unique titles. I'll gladly give you some recommendations if you want. Also, if that is of interest to you, you buy PS1 games from the PS Store.

I don't have either, but play on both quite often.

To me, online looks pretty similar on both. My 360-owning friend almost never uses voice chat, so I have no idea what difference that makes.

Consider the current and future SW library of each and also what you friends own (in my case, that would be for borrowing games, not for playing online).

One thing you might want to take into consideration is that you can easily spec up the PS3 cheaply, while Microsoft will fleece you on any Xbox 360 updates. The PS3 allows you to replace the harddrive with any standard 2.5" HD, you can use any bluetooth headset you want with it, you can use any USB penndrive with it for games saves and you got high quality Logitech steering wheels if you are into driving games. Also if you have a HD TV I always thought its a nice bonus that you get a blu-ray player included in the bundle, cause there is nothing out there that really compares in terms of visual quality, including the so called HD video downloads (which often is 720p only and with a lowered bitrate).

Fifa 10 as you mention also do have some advantages on the PS3 as it got a continuous update service through the season, which was PS3 exclusive last year at least. (I don't really play footie games to much so I haven't checked if its still the case).

The Xbox360 on the hand do got a very strong FPS community due to Halo, so if that is the type of games you prefer you might find a bigger community to play with there.

honestly, i have them both 360 and ps3, i personally like my ps3 much better, exclusives are just great, psn is now just as good as live, and its free, ps3 is 299, just remember you get bluray player, wifi , hd, charging controllers, with no add charge, plus lots more, and the free online play, my advice is you need both , but if you just buy one , ps3 is it, oh and the ps3 is much much more reliable