wow dude.. what a question you have here... and to tell you the truth.. the only way to prevent 3rod is not to buy 360 at all.. but seriously.. you'll be missing so much excitement if you do so..

But that only applied if you involved in LIVE.. you can ask anybody around here what 360 without LIVE.. nevertheless it is well known that 360 hardware itself is more game programmer friendly that why everything in 360 is so much better compare to its competitor.. without live 360 is nothing much compare to its competitor.. Soo.. you decide..

conslusion: no LIVE = no LIFE..