Xbox Live in the Limelight

Limelight Networks today announced that it has signed an agreement with Microsoft to be the content delivery network for the broadband gaming service, Xbox Live. The deal will see Xbox Live content, on-demand games, and various multimedia delivered to gamers through Limelight's technology.

"Microsoft's planned content and audience size presented massive performance and scalability requirements for this project," said Nathan Raciborski, chief network architect for Limelight Networks. "Our technology, distributed infrastructure, and proven delivery performance made Limelight the clear choice for delivery of high-speed downloads of Xbox Live content to a large and growing community of subscribers."

Though no terms of the agreement were released, it's likely that Limelight will carry the load for the next-generation of Xbox Live. As outlined at this year's GDC, the new service will feature content-heavy exchanges, including in-depth community profiles, microtransactions, and an Xbox Live marketplace, as well as traditional peer-to-peer gaming.

Limelight is also the content provider for Valve Software's Steam service, IFILM, and the upcoming Phantom console.