Do You Need Online Membership to Play Minecraft with Friends?
Minecraft, the popular sandbox video game, has become a staple of gaming culture, allowing players to build and explore a blocky, pixelated world. While the game can be enjoyed solo, many players also enjoy playing with friends, either locally or online. But to play Minecraft with friends online, do you need an online membership? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Minecraft online play and explore the requirements for playing with friends.
Do You Need Online Membership to Play Minecraft with Friends?
To play Minecraft with friends online, you do need a subscription to Minecraft Realms, a service provided by Mojang, the developer of Minecraft. Realms allows you to play Minecraft online with friends, sharing a single world and having access to multiplayer features.
Requirements for Online Play
Here are the basic requirements to play Minecraft online with friends:
- A Minecraft account: You’ll need to have a registered Minecraft account to play the game online.
- Subscription to Minecraft Realms: As mentioned earlier, Minecraft Realms is required to play online with friends. You can subscribe to the service on the Minecraft website.
- A compatible device: Minecraft can be played on various devices, including PC, Xbox, and mobile devices.
- An active internet connection: A stable internet connection is required to play Minecraft online with friends.
How to Play Minecraft with Friends Online
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play Minecraft with friends online:
- Create a Minecraft Realms account: Go to the Minecraft website and sign in to your account. If you don’t have one, create a new account.
- Create a Realm: Click on the "Realms" tab and select "Create a Realm". Choose the type of Realm you want to create (e.g., Vanilla, Hardcore, or a custom map).
- Invite Friends: Once your Realm is created, you can invite friends to join your world. Send them an invite link or add them to your friend list.
- Play Online: With your friends online, you can start playing Minecraft together, exploring, building, and surviving in a shared world.
Cost of Online Membership
Minecraft Realms offers two subscription options:
- Minecraft Realms Subscription: This subscription costs $7.99 per month and offers a variety of features, including access to online multiplayer, cloud saves, and exclusive content.
- Minecraft Realms Premium: This subscription costs $11.99 per month and offers additional features, including priority customer support, bonus storage, and access to exclusive content.
Why Do You Need Online Membership to Play Minecraft with Friends?
You need online membership to play Minecraft with friends because Realms is the only service that allows you to play online with friends. Minecraft’s default multiplayer mode allows you to play with friends locally, but online multiplayer requires a subscription to Realms.
Alternatives to Online Membership
If you don’t want to pay for an online membership, you can still play Minecraft with friends locally. You can set up a multiplayer game on your device, invite friends over, and play together offline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to play Minecraft with friends online, you do need an online membership to Minecraft Realms. The subscription service provides a safe and secure way to play online with friends, sharing a single world and having access to multiplayer features. While it may cost some money, the benefits of online multiplayer make it a worthwhile investment for Minecraft enthusiasts.