Offline LAN – Ethernet Switch

Run ethernet cable from your Xboxes to your ethernet switch. Each console will not be able to connect to Xbox Store, so Home Xbox sharing will not function and you cannot access digital games. This method works if the games you are playing are physical games that have already been downloaded to each Xbox in advance.

Offline LAN Tunneling – Router (NAT gaming) + Ethernet Switch + Xlink Kai

Run ethernet cable from your router to your ethernet switch. This connection will provide internet to any Xboxes connected to the ethernet switch. Run ethernet cable from your Xboxes to your ethernet switch. Each console will be able to connect to Xbox Store, let’s each Xbox sign into a profile and every other Xbox utilize Home Xbox sharing, but also function as local internet when system link mode is activated. You will then need to have a PC/Mac/Linux also connected via ethernet to your router. Xlink Kai is a program that will then allow players over the internet to join your system link lobby. See more at: https://www.teamxlink.co.uk/wiki/Main_Page

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Xbox Profiles

Xbox profiles are required to access digital games, with the exception that if the Xbox is set as “Home Xbox” to an Xbox profile and the game is already downloaded, then the game can be played completely offline. Physical games require the Xbox be connected to the internet to download the game. It’s best practice that for the number of players expected to play, you have that many Xbox profiles created and available to avoid simultaneous profile conflicts. Xbox will not let the same profile be active (online) on more than one console. See Game Sharing section below.

Game Sharing

You only need to purchase half the digital games as you have players. For example, if you are expecting 12 players and playing digital games, you only need 6 profiles (with the digital game purchased), because Xbox allows you to set a Home Xbox and travelling profile, using them simultaneously. For example, if Fragstenstein has purchased a digital game of Halo: The Master Chief Collection – Fragstenstein can set the Xbox One S Deep Blue as their Home Xbox, logout of that Xbox and log into the Xbox One X and play Halo MCC on Xbox One X (travelling profile). Since the Xbox One S Deep Blue is Fragstenstein’s Home Xbox, Fragstenstein’s best friend MonsterMan can play Halo MCC without purchasing it, because Xbox One S Deep Blue (Home Xbox) has a home profile for which the game was purchased. For more information see: https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/hardware-network/console/my-home-xbox

Xbox Party Chat

Xbox party chat is significantly better than using the game’s chat, due to the higher quality audio as well as having more settings. The downside to having your LAN party all on Xbox Party chat is if you are playing a team-based mode then you can hear the other team and the other team can hear you. This isn’t much of a disadvantage to the game directly, because you likely can hear gameplay comms outside of your headset, but it is more of a distraction. It’s quite chaotic using microphones in a LAN party, so we have found it’s best to setup an Xbox Party chat, but not actually use the mics (everyone on mute) during gameplay, then when at lobby screens unmute and talk about the match and what map or mode to play next.

Headsets

Astro a40 headset with Astro m80 mixamp is the best combination for us. This is a simulated surround sound setup that allows us to easily dial in the game volume, tap to

mute (red) / unmute(unilluminated), tap to balance chat and game audio volume, and 3 EQs. If you aren’t able to find a m80 mixamp, the Astro in-line mute cable for the a40 can connect directly to the Xbox controller for a simpler setup with less features. The major problem with this setup is no direct volume control. You have to go through your Xbox menu settings to increase or decrease the volume.

Storage Capacity

USB Fit flash drives in 256gb or 512gb are great quick and easy options to increase your storage capacity.

You can also swap the internal HDD for a larger HDD or preferably an SDD in 1gb or 2gb sizes. Before installing the HDD/SDD, you may have run script on your computer: https://gbatemp.net/threads/xbox-one-internal-hard-drive-upgrade-or-repair-build-any-size-drive-that-works-on-any-console.496212/