So you've decided to go online. Good for you! Let's join LIVE.
If you have an Xbox 360 Silver or Gold account, or a Microsoft Zune account, congratulations! You're good to go, and you just need to sign into Games for Windows – LIVE with the same Windows Live™ ID e-mail address and password you use on those services.
If you have a LIVE membership on the original Xbox that you have not yet migrated to the Xbox 360 and would like to continue using that account on Games for Windows – LIVE, sign in over at http://www.xbox.com to migrate it to the new LIVE services, and you're all set!
To create a new Games for Windows – LIVE profile, you will need a Windows Live ID. If you have any of the following e-mail addresses or use the following services, you already have one:
E-mail addresses
- @msn.com
- @live.com
- @hotmail.com
Products/Services
- Windows Live Messenger account
- msn.com account (Autos, Money, MSN Games, Spaces, etc.)
- live.com account (LIVE Mobile, OneCare, etc)
All you need to do is sign in to that account, and you're halfway home! If you don't already have a LIVE ID you will be prompted to create one in the account creation process. Create a gamer profile, and jump into Games for Windows – LIVE!
To join Games for Windows – LIVE:
- Make sure your PC is connected to the Internet.
- On your PC, start your game. Press the Home key on your keyboard to open the LIVE Guide.
- Tip
If you don't get the LIVE Guide after pressing the Guide button or the Home key, make sure your game is a Games for Windows – LIVE game. The packaging should have both the Games for Windows and the LIVE logos across the top
- If you already have an offline gamer profile, click Messages, Friends, or Players, and then click Join LIVE. If you don't have a profile yet, click Create New Profile, and choose Create LIVE Profile.
- A message will appear warning you that a browser window will open and asking you if you want to continue. Click Yes.
- Follow the prompts on the site to create your account.
- Close the Create Profile browser window.
- Sign into Games for Windows – LIVE by entering the e-mail address and password you just used. You're good to go.
Creating a child's account
Parents who are creating an account for their child will find a slightly different process. After the account has been created with the above steps, if the account holder is a minor, a parent will be required to provide some information so that they can monitor their child's account. A credit card will be required to verify that you are in fact an adult, and an adult's Windows Live ID is required for a child's account to use LIVE services. Your credit card will not be charged. This process will not differ much from the above steps, simply follow the prompts on the site.
