Do You Need Xbox Live to Play Fortnite?

The free-to-play Battle Royale behemoth, Fortnite, is literally on every console that matters in the game industry. While an immensely popular multiplayer game, there are still hoops players might feel they have to jump through to play on their system of choice.

Xbox, for example, has its tried and true Xbox Live service, which has evolved in many ways since its early days but still hangs on to the ability to let players do online multiplayer content in games like Destiny. With that in mind, many Xbox players wanting to play Fortnite might be confused, asking if you need Xbox Live to play Fortnite. Here’s the answer!

Do You Need Xbox Live Gold to Play Fortnite on Xbox Consoles?

Starting at $9.99 a month, Xbox Live Gold is the go-to service for Xbox players so they can play online multiplayer. However, in the case of Fortnite, you don’t need the Xbox Live service to play the game online. It wasn’t always a simple yes or no, though. Up until April 2021, Xbox players had to have an active Xbox Live Gold subscription service to play the battle royale title.

After loads of negative feedback about free-to-play games restricted to Xbox Live, the company eventually changed it in April.

“Today, we are sharing more details on our plans to make online multiplayer in free-to-play games available on Xbox without an Xbox Live Gold membership,” said the company in a public statement on April 21. “All Xbox players will be able to access online multiplayer at no charge for a library of over 50 free-to-play games that support online multiplayer.” Effectively freeing titles like Fortnite and Apex Legends from the membership service on the spot and remains that way today.

That’s everything you need to know to answer: do you need Xbox Live to play Fortnite? Be sure to surf Twinfinite for other Fortnite guides, such as finding every fish or all exotic weapons in Chapter 3, Season 3.