For decades, users who owned a game console played alone. Until the debut of the original Xbox, playing console video games online with a friend was a dream. Microsoft’s Xbox Live service forever changed the state of multiplayer gaming. How did you play with friends after launch? You connected your console to a high-speed Internet connection and signed up for an Xbox Live subscription.
Since Microsoft started the Xbox Live beta test, a lot has evolved. The original Xbox Live wasn’t as solid as the Xbox 360 version. Same thing when you compare Xbox Live from Xbox 360 to Xbox One from Microsoft. Things are very different.
Here’s what you need to know about playing with friends on Xbox Live.
before we start
Before we begin, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, a lot of the advice here is not just for Xbox One, but for Xbox Live in general. This means that they apply to Xbox 360 and Xbox on Windows. Thanks to Microsoft’s latest set of initiatives, Xbox Live really is available everywhere.
Second, and this is very, very important, playing with friends on Xbox One is not free. Microsoft decided to stop charging for access to Xbox Live apps and entertainment features in 2014, but has kept multiplayer exclusive to only those willing to pay for it. You shouldn’t bother switching consoles to get online multiplayer for free either, Sony’s PS4 requires users to pay for PlayStation Plus, a roughly identical membership to Xbox Live Gold.
Play with friends on Xbox One: what you need
Your quest to play with friends on Xbox One begins with the aforementioned Xbox Live Gold membership. The service costs $9.99 or $59.99 per year. For the best savings, you obviously want to go for the one-year option. If you’re just itching to see how you’ll like online multiplayer, go ahead and stick with the one-month subscription.
The easiest way to pay for Xbox Live is to add your credit card to the Microsoft account you use on Xbox One. Xbox Live prepaid cards are available at department stores, general retailers, electronics stores, and even convenience stores.
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Once you have Xbox Live Gold, you’ll want to look at a headset. These headsets are used to communicate with friends and associates over Xbox Live with voice instead of just text messages. They play team games and just communicate with a friend effortlessly.
At first, Xbox One consoles came with a free chat headset included. You can still buy the Xbox Live Chat headset for $29.99 at gamestop. You can also use any 3.5mm headset that supports microphones thanks to the headphone jack at the bottom of your Xbox One Wireless Controller.
Playing with friends on Xbox One: how to send invites and more
When you’re on the home screen or anywhere else, double-tap on your controller to open the Xbox Guide. Added with the new Xbox One experience, this guide gives you the details you need to know before and after you start playing with friends on Xbox One.
The first thing you should see is a list of all your friends and what they’re playing on Xbox Live. You can send them an invite by pressing the A button on their behalf.
The same goes for the area, where you can select your name and send a message. Remember that just because you’re playing together doesn’t mean you’re in a Party Chat together.
allows you to quickly drop what you’re doing and enter multiplayer for the game your friend is playing. Note that this option is only useful if you have that game on your Xbox One’s Blu-ray drive or own it digitally.
Microsoft leaves parts of the multiplayer experience to game developers. Game developers simply connect to Xbox Live. As such, different games offer different ways to group up with friends and play online once you’re inside them. For example, Ubisoft The division forces you to enter the game menu after you’ve already loaded your character. Online games have matchmaking so you can easily find other people to play with when your friends are away.
Playing with friends on Xbox One: quick tips
Good luck playing with friends on Xbox One.
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