Both private chat and in-game voice communication require the Xbox 360 Headset.

Enable Communication

Before you start chatting away, you'll want to make sure that your console settings allow communication.

To enable your communication settings:

1. Go to My Xbox and open your profile.
2. Select Edit Profile, Privacy Settings.
3. Select Voice and Text, then choose either Everyone or Friends Only.

You can enable communication settings for a child profile as well.

To enable communication settings for a child profile:

1. Go to My Xbox and open System Settings. Privacy and Friends, Voice and Text.
2. Select Family Settings, Xbox LIVE Controls.
3. Select Privacy and Friends, Voice and Text.

Private Chat

Unlike general in-game voice communication, a chat is a closed conversation between you and one other person. Your chat partner can be playing the same game you are, but can also be playing a different game—or watching a DVD movie, or listening to music. Both of you could, in fact, just be sitting around wondering what to do next.

The Xbox 360 console can accommodate up to four separate but simultaneous one-on-one chats, in addition to "public" in-game communication for an Xbox LIVE-enabled multiplayer game, or a party of a bunch of people at once.

To start a private chat:

1. Plug in your Xbox 360 headset.

   For connection assistance, see Use Your Xbox 360 Headset.

2. Press the Xbox Guide button and select Chat & IM.
3. Select an available Private Chat Channel, then select or enter the Gamertag of the person you'd like to chat with.

4. Select Send Invite. Your invitee will have five minutes to accept your invitation, after which the system assumes the other party is unavailable and cancels the invite. You can always send another invitation later!

   If you or another recipient declines a chat invitation, the cancellation is invisible to the sender. That is, the sender isn't told whether the invitation was declined or expired.

In-Game Voice Communication

Every Xbox LIVE-enabled game that supports multiplayer gaming also supports in-game voice communication. There's nothing to switch on or activate beyond setting up your Xbox 360 console and plugging in your headset.

This means you can taunt opponents, strategize with teammates, groan in despair, and exult with a war cry—all in real time! And if other players get obnoxious, simply mute them and continue gaming.

To enable in-game voice communication:

1. Plug in your headset
   

   For connection assistance, see Use Your Xbox 360 Headset.

2. Fire up an Xbox LIVE–enabled game.