Three People, One Xbox

Hello all, sorry if this is a stupid question but I'm not sure as of yet how to sort it out myself, so perhaps you fellow gamers can give me some advice. I'm moving in with two friends next year (I know, I know, a lot of people don't advise this, but it's a temporary arrangement, and I have nowhere else to go), and rather than have me pay money, they would prefer to have my rent be in the form of doing household chores, helping with shopping, and just not being an ass-face. It's quite generous of them really, so I don't see how I can possibly justify complaining too much about anything or trying to call any shots... I do have one certain concern, however; My 360 (shows where my priorities lie, eh?). They have their own, but it's not only falling apart, it was the older model in the first place, so when I move in we will all be using mine. I don't care if they use it, but I know from staying with them (I visit for a few weeks at a time) that they watch movies on theirs and play video games for hours on end. And I do the same thing. So it's obvious to me that we're gonna need some rules or at least guidelines in place about who gets to use it, at what times, and for how long. I can't be too strict about it since I'm living in their house, taking up space, using their water, eating their food, who am I to say they can't play with my Xbox? But I'm positive without some rules in place we're all just gonna end up ticked off at each other over it. I'll have to just sit down and talk to the two of them of course, but before I go in to the discussion, I need to know what the heck I have in mind, which I don't.

So how would you guys personally work this out? Between three people, how would you sort out who gets how much Xbox time and when? And if more than one person is playing at once, does that use up time for both of them? Any other comments? Thanks much.

Sell the 360 to them, let it be their concern...use that money to go towards getting your own place sooner. Even without the xbox, you're gonna end up getting angry at them over many other issues. Best to cut your losses and head towards doing your own thing faster.

If your parents are still in the picture, stay with them as long as you can and save, save, save. Trust me, I was given this advice when I was young and of coarse, never listened. If I had of though, I'd own a home now instead of paying off someone else's house. As far as your xbox situation goes, perhaps putting it in your bedroom might make it less communal but to be honest, there's not a great deal else you could do without looking like a selfish prick. Also, if you're not working, fix that problem first and the rest will sort itself out. Good luck mate.

No rules, no guidelines, if you are living with them under those circumstances that Xbox is no longer your Xbox, its the community Xbox. Its the LEAST you can do and its how I would do it if I was them (I'd make you pay money tho, I'm not even that nice) Grown ass adults don't need to make a schedule for Xbox use, that just seems a bit childish.

If you all have rotating work/school schedules, then this becomes a simple matter of "when you are at work and I am not, I will play". However, it stands to reason that since you are asking about it, this is not the case. If you all will be home at the same time it is just a matter of knowing how to share. You can't hog it but you can't let either of them do the same. The best way to approach this is the same as with any relationship: You have to communicate.

My situation is not that different from yours. My roommates come in the form of wife and daughter but we only have one TV and one Xbox (plus a DVD player, but it is moot, since we only have one TV). In order to keep from fighting over who gets to watch what (me with my games, Nora with her movies, and my wife Angie with her TV shows) we simply talk to each other. Heck, my kid isn't even four yet and she's capable of waiting her turn or letting me or her Mom know when she's done with a game or movie so one of us can use it.

Just communicate with your roomies, and you'll be fine.