Xbox 360 offers a range of convenient and flexible communication options including game invites, parties, voice and text messaging, instant messaging with Windows Live Messenger, and picture messaging. All require an Xbox LIVE account.

For information about connecting to a home network, see Introduction to Home Networking.

Game Invites

Game invites are a fast and easy way to rope your friends into multiplayer action. You don't have to exit your game to extend an invite. Just call up the Xbox Guide from wherever you are to fire one off. Invitations let your friends know, whatever they're doing, that you want them to join your game.

To send a game invite:

1. Sign in to Xbox LIVE and begin playing an Xbox LIVE multiplayer-enabled game.
2. Press the Xbox Guide button.
3. Select Messages.
4. Select Create New, Game Invite.
5. Select or enter a Gamertag, then select Send Invite.
6. Create another invite if you want (or send a voice or text message, a private chat Invite, a party invite, or a friend request). When you're finished, press the Xbox Guide button to return to your game.
   When your invitee accepts your invite, his or her Gamertag will appear.

Parties

Parties let you talk to a bunch of people at the same time, whether you're playing a game together, playing different games, or just hanging out. You can start a party that's open to all of your friends or choose to invite particular people. You can even invite an entire group to play a game at once, instead of inviting them one by one.

For more info, see Start a Party.

Voice Messaging

It's fun, it's convenient, and it's another great feature that ties the Xbox LIVE community closer together. It's voice messaging, and it's a piece of cake. All you need is a Gamertag and an Xbox 360 Headset.

Use voice messaging to deliver your friend requests with flair. Or you can just say hi.

To send a voice message:

1. Connect your Xbox 360 Headset to your controller and put it on.
2. Sign in to Xbox LIVE.
3. Press the Xbox Guide button.
4. Select Messages, Create New, Message.
5. Select or enter a Gamertag.
6. From the Message screen, select Add Voice.
7. Select the record button (the circle) and speak into your headset's microphone. The recording will conclude after 15 seconds; select the stop button (the square) to end the recording sooner.
   
   To listen to your voice message, select the play button (the arrow).
8. When you're ready, select Done, Send Message.

Text Messaging

If you want to talk and you don't have an Xbox 360 headset, you can always send a text message.

To send a text message:

1. Sign in to Xbox LIVE.
2. Press the Xbox Guide button.
3. Select Messages, Create New, Message.
4. Select or enter a Gamertag.
5. From the Message screen, select Add Text.
6. Enter your text message. You can use your controller and the on-screen virtual keyboard or you can plug any USB keyboard into an available controller port. When you're ready, select Done.
7. Select Send Message.

Instant Messaging with Windows Live Messenger

You can instant message your Windows Live Messenger contacts right from your Xbox 360 console. When you sign up for Messenger on Xbox LIVE, your friends list combines your Xbox LIVE friends and Windows Live Messenger contacts on your console, and shows you where they overlap. See Windows Live Messenger to learn about Messenger integration.

Picture Messaging

If you have an Xbox LIVE Vision camera, you can attach a picture to your message.

To send a picture message:

1. Sign in to Xbox LIVE.
2. Press the Xbox Guide button.
3. Select Messages, Create New, Message.
4. Select or enter a Gamertag.
5. Select Add Picture.
6. Position yourself in front of your camera. If you want to zoom in, select the magnifying glass button.
7. When you're ready, select the camera button. After a count of three, it'll take your picture.
8. If you want, select Add Effect, then select an effect.
9. Select Accept Picture.
10. Select Send Message.