One of the best features of Xbox LIVE is finding friends for an online game. After all, playing with your friends, whether they're across the street or on the other side of the planet, is one of the main reasons you want online gaming. But it's not much fun unless you know they're online.
As you build your list of friends by sending and accepting friend requests, you'll see the same list no matter which game you play. You can have up to 100 friends at a time.
Note
When you set up Messenger on Xbox LIVE, your Windows Messenger contacts are added automatically to your Xbox LIVE friends list. For more information, see Windows Live Messenger
You can also start an Xbox LIVE party. Select your crew and wait for everyone to show. You can just hang out and chat, or start up a game and invite your party to it.
From your friends list, you can check your friends' profile information, including motto, name, location, and bio. You can compare game scores, submit player reviews, start a chat, or see a list of your friends' friends.
To send a friend request:
- Sign in to Xbox LIVE and go to Friends.
Select the blank avatar to add a friend.
Enter the Gamertag of the person you want to send a friend invite to and select Done.
In addition to using the on-screen virtual keyboard, you can enter information using a USB keyboard plugged into a controller port or the Xbox 360 Chatpad.
- Use the standard message or write your own, then select Send Request.
To view a friend's profile:
- Sign in to Xbox LIVE and go to Friends.
- Select a friend's avatar to see their profile. Press A again to select their gamer card.
- Gamer Profile: Invite your friend to chat, join a party, or play a game, send a message to your friend, compare scores, submit a player review, file a complaint, or remove the friend from your friends list.
- Personal Profile: See your friend's gamer card and personal information, including real name, bio, and location. See your friend's list of friends (unless they have blocked this option).
Your Friends on the Web
When you link your Gamertag to Xbox.com and sign in to the My Xbox Web site, you'll see your friends list and be able to immediately identify who's online and what they're playing. You'll also see whether you've got any pending game invites or friend requests. If you see that your buddies are playing or you've got some invites, drop the mouse and head over to your Xbox for some online competition.