Minecraft is one very interesting game. In fact, it’s one of the best sandbox games out there and it was developed by Mojang Studios.
If you enjoy building things from scratch, this game is for you. From the simplest of homes you can ever create to the grandest of castles, this 3D sandbox game inspires you to be creative.
We answered several questions about playing Minecraft in this post. The first is the possibility of playing the game without Xbox live. Here’s what you should know.
Do You Need Xbox Live To Play Minecraft?
No, you don’t need an Xbox Live Gold subscription for local multiplayer gaming. That is when you and your friend play Minecraft in your gaming room or near each other.
However, if you wish to play Minecraft online, you must get an Xbox Live Gold subscription. Minecraft Xbox version requires an active subscription to play online with friends.
A Handy Tip: If you wish to play Minecraft with your friend without the Xbox Live subscription, your friend or gaming buddy must be 5 to 15 feet away. That’s how you can play the game on the local play, and that’s how far you and your gaming buddy can be.
Another thing you need to have is a Microsoft account.
Let’s dive in and discuss playing Minecraft on Xbox Live.
What Is The Xbox Live Gold Subscription?
Have you ever been in a situation where you have an Xbox but can’t play your favorite game (Minecraft), with your friend because it just won’t connect? You’re not alone!
Most gamers would wish Xbox Live Gold didn’t exist. But then, the company involved has to make money, right? If it doesn’t, it’s obvious it might abandon the whole thing and make it impossible for players far apart to connect and play their favorite game.
So, what’s the Xbox Live Gold all about? Why do you need it to play Minecraft online?
Xbox Live offers access to a networking service that isn’t free to access. It’s similar to PS Plus for PlayStation. To enjoy this service, you must pay a specific amount (purchase a monthly subscription).
What the Xbox Live is majorly about is offering gamers online connectivity. If you have an active subscription then you can connect with other players online, and play Minecraft, including other games.
Another thing you need to know is that this networking service is available for different Xbox models. Check out the list below.
- Xbox One
- Xbox 360
- Xbox Series X
- Xbox Series S
Besides letting you connect with your friends online and play your favorite game, the Xbox Live Gold subscription offers other benefits.
With the Gold subscription, you can record your games and broadcast them to your audience. Let people watch your gaming expedition.
The ability to record your games is a top feature and makes the Xbox Live Gold subscription worthwhile. If you’re a YouTuber or Vlogger, this is a great way to create original content for your audience.
Furthermore, the Xbox Live Subscription also gives you access to free games. Another benefit is letting you access the beta version of upcoming games.
So, you’ll be among the first people to have a glimpse of upcoming games before others have the privilege to see them.
A Handy Tip: The Xbox Live Gold subscription is required when playing Minecraft on Xbox. You require it for hosting, joining the server, and Minecraft realm creation.
But as we previously explained, you don’t need Xbox Live for single-player and local play.
Local play, or playing Minecraft locally, means you have to play the game on a split screen with your friend. Another option is to use multiple devices but has them connected to one network.
How Much Does Xbox Live Cost?
The Xbox Live Gold subscription package costs $9.99. However, you’ll get a discount if you purchase a 3-month, 6-month, or 1- year subscription. The choice is all yours.
With an Xbox Live Gold subscription, you can play diverse games on your device that requires an active subscription. However, note that you don’t need any subscription to access free-to-play games on Xbox.
Here is a list of free-to-play games.
- Fortnite
- The Sims 4
- Overwatch 2
- Destiny 2
- MultiVersus
- Rumbleverse
- Apex Legends
- Path of Exile
- Halo Infinite
- World of Tanks
- War Thunder
- Rogue Company
- Splitgate
- Hawken
- Happy Wars
- Crackdown
- Crackdown 2
- Blessed Unleash
- DC Universe Online
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
Microsoft made over 50 games that used to require a subscription, free. In other words, you can now play these games online and enjoy them with your friends (multiplayer mode) without the Xbox Live Gold subscription.
You can check out more games on the Microsoft official website.
A Handy Tip: Always remember to cancel your subscription every month so it doesn’t renew. But if you plan to continue playing online, then there is no need to cancel it. It will automatically renew itself.
Is The Xbox Game Pass Cheaper Than Xbox Live Gold?
Yes and no! Wait, I’ll explain. I said the Xbox Game Pass is cheaper because when you subscribe, you’ll not only be getting access to play Minecraft online.
This subscription package is as its name implies. It gives you access to games you would have bought anyway. And you’re only paying $14.99 per month.
A Handy Tip: The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers the Xbox Live Gold, including hundreds of high-quality PC and console games.
With the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you’ll be able to play new Xbox Game Studio titles the very day they’re released, including recent hits.
This subscription package gives you access to other benefits, such as consumables, in-game content, and partner offers. Plus, you’ll enjoy membership discounts.
So, when you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, you’ll gain access to a lot. These include Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Interestingly, Microsoft has added EA Play, a library of sports titles, to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Others include games from the popular Star Wars franchise and more.
But I have to be honest with you. The EA Play Microsoft offers in Xbox Game Pass isn’t as full-featured as their EA Play Pro, but the perks are still great.
Now, let’s dive into the next phase. The reason I said the Xbox Game Pass isn’t cheap is this. If your only interest is Xbox Live Gold and you have already bought games, you might not fancy the Xbox Game Pass.
Nevertheless, the package still contains some perks that you may find interesting. You can check it out to know how subscribing to the Xbox Game Pass will benefit you.
Do You Require Xbox Live Subscription To Play Minecraft On PC?
No, you don’t need the Xbox Live Gold subscription or Xbox Live Game Pass to play Minecraft on your PC.
In other words, if you’re playing Minecraft java: Edition, you don’t need an active subscription to play. Just set up your server, and that’s it.
Where can you download the Minecraft server? You can visit Minecraft.net to get it. Download and set it up. On the other hand, you can also connect to another person’s Minecraft server to play the game.
Is it Possible for Xbox and PS4 to Play Minecraft together?
Yes, it is. Since the Bedrock Edition was released, Minecraft cross-platform play has become possible.
This means that you can play Minecraft with anyone, regardless of the platform they’re using. For instance, they can play on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile devices. And you can join them with any platform.
Platforms Minecraft Is Available On
Since Minecraft’s release in 2011, the developers Mojang Studios have ensured the game is accessible on various platforms.
This development makes Minecraft one of the most popular games of the century. Now you can see why Minecraft amassed 141 million players worldwide.
Alright, let’s check out the platforms you can play Minecraft on.
- Windows
- Linux
- Xbox 360
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- iPadOS
- Windows Phone
- Raspberry Pi
- PlayStation 3
- Apple TV
- Fire OS
- Wii U
- PlayStation Vita
- Xbox One
- Nintendo 3DS
- PlayStation 4
- Nintendo Switch
Conclusion
Do you require Xbox Live to play Minecraft? The simple answer is yes and no. Yes, if you want to play the game online and connect with a friend. To gain access, you’ll need the Xbox Live Gold subscription, which costs $9.99.
Xbox Live is a networking service. It lets you connect with your friends online and play Minecraft.
The second answer is no. You don’t need Xbox live when playing Minecraft alone or with friends locally. Locally means you can use multiple devices but connect to one network.
Again, if you don’t fancy Xbox Live Gold, you can go for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It costs $14.99 but offers you access to Xbox Live’s offerings and other benefits.
