Xbox Is Still Planning To Drop Live Gold Its Claimed
Microsoft said to be waiting until Game Pass reaches milestone subs
Chris Scullion
Microsoft is reportedly still planning to discontinue Xbox Live Gold and make online multiplayer free.
Thats according to journalist Jeff Grubb, who had made the same claim last year when Xbox Live Gold was still required for free-to-play games.
Grubbs original argument was that since Halo Infinites multiplayer was going to be free-to-play, that would only make sense if Xbox Live Gold was removed.
However, Microsoft then announced in April that Xbox Live Gold was no longer required to play free-to-play multiplayer games, leading some to believe that Gold would remain as a requirement for other games.
Yesterday, during his premium GrubbSnax show on Giant Bomb, Grubb addressed the story again and stated his belief that the plans to drop Gold were still on the table at Xbox.
In the past, Ive said Xbox Live Gold is going to go away, and when I started saying that it was when Xbox Live Gold was still required for free-to-play games, he explained.
And I knew for a fact that they were going to make a change before Halo Infinite, and I thought at least it would be dropped for free-to-play games because they werent going to charge people to play Halo on Xbox when they werent charging you to play it on PC or whatever.
Then they decided to raise the price and it looked weird, right? Why would they do that if they were going to get rid of Xbox Live Gold?
Further reading
You Need Xbox Live Gold For Multiplayer Gaming
If you want to play online multiplayer on your Xbox One or Xbox 360, you will need Xbox Live Gold. Your subscription also enables access to the party system and voice chat. If you try to use the online mutiplayer features within games without Xbox Live Gold, youll be stopped in your tracks and told you need Xbox Live Gold to continue.
This service isnt necessary for playing single-player games, and it isnt required when playing multiplayer games offline. For example, you dont need to pay anything to play a split-screen game with two people in the same room on the same console.
Xbox Live Gold also isnt required if you want to watch Netflix and Hulu, or use other media-streaming apps. For example, In the Xbox 360 daysand even when the Xbox One launchedyou needed to pay both the Netflix subscription fee and the Xbox Live Gold subscription fee just to watch Netflix on your Xbox One, but Microsoft changed this. Xbox Live Gold is now only useful to gamers.
What’s Changing With Xbox Live Gold
Microsoft has shaken up its Xbox online services this year, with some of the most extensive changes to date for Xbox Live. It skews the value proposition of its Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles, making online multiplayer more accessible and better positioning its services against the competition. That all stems from an ongoing effort to reshape its subscription portfolio, changing up the value of Xbox Live Gold as Xbox Game Pass takes the spotlight.
The new changes for Xbox Live Gold impact its online multiplayer, the subscription’s primary draw since its inception. Microsoft has lifted the requirement for Xbox Live Gold to play free-to-play titles online, making these true no-cost experiences on the platform. That mimics a similar policy seen on PlayStation consoles, with no PlayStation Plus requirement for free-to-play games.
This massive policy shift impacts a considerable slice of Xbox owners, with free-to-play titles among the top games played today. Experiences include Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends, all drawing millions with no upfront cost. Microsoft has now rolled out these Xbox Live Gold changes, and multiplayer automatically works across these titles, subscription-free.
Microsoft has also dropped the Xbox Live branding, steadily adopting the Xbox network branding moving forward. However, the Xbox Live Gold name will remain as is a move designed to help better distinguish the underlying service from the paid subscription.
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What Is Xbox All Access
Xbox All Access is a monthly installment payment option for a new Xbox Series S or X. Customers can sign up for the plan to pay $35 a month for an Xbox Series X or $25 a month for an Xbox Series S. Both plans include 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. There are no upfront fees and 0% APR. Best Buy, GameStop, Microsoft Store, Target and Walmart are all participants in the program, however, the trick is to sign up when consoles are available. If you’re still on the hunt for an Xbox Series X or S, will have the latest restock updates for you.
Is Xbox Live Gold Different From Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Live Gold gives you access to multiplayer modes in games on Xbox One and Xbox 360, while Xbox Game Pass gives you access to a large library of games to play on PC.
Xbox Live Gold is mandatory if you want to play any multiplayer mode on Xbox One and Xbox 360.
Xbox Live Gold costs 9.99$ per month, while Xbox Game Pass costs start from 4.99$ per month.
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Do Pc Players Need Xbox Live Gold At All
Xbox Live Gold is a subscription service for Xbox One and Xbox 360 users. So, PC players do not need an Xbox Live Gold subscription at all.
Only if you are an Xbox One and Xbox 360 player and want to access any multiplayer mode, only then is the Xbox Live Gold subscription required.
Thus, PC players can relax as they need no extra subscriptions to get into multiplayer modes. Go PCMasterRace!
How Does Deals With Gold Work
In addition to the free games, Microsoft offers a variety of exclusive deals on digital Xbox One and Xbox 360 games to members. You can view the current deals on the Deals With Gold website and in the Store on your Xbox. These deals change every week. And as with the free games, you wont see the latest big-name games here as soon as theyre released.
Once youve purchased a game, its yours to play all you like, even if your subscription ends.
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Diablo : Resurrected Runs Without Ps Plus And Xbox Live Gold But
How is PS Plus doing? The product page of Diablo 2: Resurrected in the PS Store states that the game requires PS Plus for “online play” and online PS + can support up to 8 players .
How’s Xbox Live? Microsoft’s website states The game requires Xbox Live Gold for use on Xbox . However, this probably also applies to the online game. Because we at MeinMMO tested and pulled the LAN cable from the Xbox while D2: R was running in single player – there were no interruptions and we could continue playing offline.
This is what Blizzard says: There is an FAQ on the game’s website that asks what you need to play online. There Blizzard explains:
In addition to an internet connection, you will need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to enjoy multiplayer features on Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One. PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4 require PlayStation Plus to use the multiplayer features. ”
However, this is specifically about the online game. PS + / Xbox Live membership is required on both consoles for this. But the single player should work for you without these subscriptions.
We explicitly asked Blizzard again and will update the article as soon as we have an answer.
Xbox Live Gold Changes: Free
Two decades on, and Xbox Live remains a staple of Microsoft’s gaming efforts, fundamental to its Xbox home consoles, and touching PCs and mobile too. That’s coupled with its long-running Xbox Live Gold subscription, a monthly membership unlocking its full suite of online features, including multiplayer, party chats, and exclusive bonuses. But the gaming network, and Xbox Live Gold, have undergone a significant revamp, laying out wide-reaching changes for all.
Here’s what’s just changed with Xbox Live and Xbox Live Gold in 2021.
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Do I Need Xbox Live Gold To Paly Sea Of Thieves On Computer
- RoseBanjo198365Founder0
I have seen threads saying yes but also some have said no. I kind of want a definite answer
-
Ahoy there!
Xbox Live Gold is only required for console players to play online, so no, you do not 😀
- Founder2
also make sure you download the win 10 xbox app if you don’t have it to help find your crew mates
- Rogue0
Is there confirmation anywhere on this, matey? I be lookin’ fer some information about this meself! I be seeing some things about that mentions you can “play” with a standard Microsoft account but some features are still locked behind the Gold. Would this be the same on the PC or would we be needin’ the Gold to unlock our full potential here as well?
Can You Play Multiplayer On Xbox Without Gold
Microsoft is making over 50 games free to play on Xbox without an Xbox Live Gold membership. Now all Xbox players will be able to play these online multiplayer games for free. Demos of games that require a pre-order or purchase, early access edition, trial license versions also require an Xbox Live Gold subscription.
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Do You Need A Ps Plus/xbox Live Gold Subscription To Play Fifa 21 On Ps5
It feels like simply playing your favorite games becomes more and more difficult as time passes. Once upon a time, we bought a game and we played the game. The entirety of it. That’s it. Not any longer. So, what would you need in order to play FIFA 21 normally on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S? Do you need a PS Plus or an Xbox Live Gold subscription? You’re about to find out, buddy.
By the tone of the intro you probably already feel where this is going. Playing the full version of FIFA 21 on next-gen consoles isn’t going to be as easy as clicking a single button.
Do You Need Gold Memberships To Play Minecraft Online
For split screen you do not need a gold membership but you do need a HD TV. If you want to play it locally with someone on your same console then no you would not need gold. No you do not. You do, however, need a gold membershp in order to play online with friends, or access the mini game feature recently added.
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Xbox Is Now Testing No Live Gold Requirement For Warzone Fortnite And More
Were turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience, Microsoft added. For free-to-play games, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox.
As well as access to online play, Xbox Live Gold offers subscribers purchase discounts and monthly free games that can be kept permanently on Xbox 360 or while a subscription remains active on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One.
In 2019, Microsoft started bundling Xbox Live Gold with its Xbox Game Pass subscription service in the form of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $14.99/£10.99 per month and features on demand gaming and access to EA Play.
Xbox Live Gold No Longer Required For Online Multiplayer In Free Games Starting Today
Today marks a day to be rejoiced by many Xbox Fortnite, Xbox Rocket League and Xbox Roblox players worldwide.
The consoles/PC war took a step towards peace with 21st Aprils announcement by Microsoft officially clearing free-to-play titles from Xbox Live Gold membership requirements for online multiplayer, effective immediately.
This means that more than 60 titles will not only be accessible to every Xbox user, but the multiplayer lobbies will be fuller than ever as they get to live the full experience completely for free for the first time ever.
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Yes If You Care About Xbox Games With Gold
According to Microsoft’s official page for Xbox Live Gold, paid online games such as Borderlands 3, Mortal Kombat 11, and more still requires an active subscription to Xbox Live Gold for online multiplayer. For players who are fond of paid online games, an Xbox Live Gold subscription is still a requirement. Additionally, the Xbox Live Gold service is still essential for those who anticipate its monthly free games, especially now that Microsoft is upping its game for its roster of Games with Gold. After the company announced the list of free games for February, some players were surprised with Microsoft’s selection of games, especially since it includes heavy hitters such as Gears 5 and Resident Evil. The former is the Xbox Series X optimized version of the game.
Although it is too early to tell whether Microsoft will remain consistent with offering quality games for Xbox Live Gold, it is apparent that February’s roster is off to a great start. It also appears that Microsoft will start offering Xbox Series X games to the roster, similar to Sony’s PS Plus, which began adding PS5 games to the service. Overall, it appears that Microsoft is committed to ensuring that Xbox players remain subscribed to Xbox Live Gold by increasing the overall value of the service by offering high quality monthly free games.
About Forza Horizon 4
Forza Horizon 4, a 2018 racing video game published by Microsoft Studios and developed by Playground Games was released on 2 October 2018 for Xbox One and Microsoft Windows after being initially announced at Xboxs E3 2018 conference.
The game takes place around a fictionalized representation of Great Britain.
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What Games Can Be Played Without An Xbox Live Gold Membership
Heres the full list of free-to-play games that support online multiplayer. These titles do not require an Xbox Live Gold Membership to play online.
- 3on3 FreeStyle
- Dead or Alive 5 Last Round: Core Fighters
- Dead or Alive 6: Core Fighters
- Defiance 2050
- The Four Kings Casino and Slots
- Too Human
- World of Warships: Legends
- Yaris
The change was made as part of listening to your feedback and is effective immediately, starting today 21st April 2021.
You Can Now Play Fortnite On Your Xbox With Or Without Xbox Live Gold
People without Xbox Live Gold memberships used to be locked out of online free-to-play games, despite the games themselves being free. However, Microsoft has changed its stance, likely because of competition from its rival consoles.
So, if you own an Xbox and have never played Fortnite, now is a good time to give it a shot. It can be a little overwhelming at first, so be sure to read up on the controls and best practices before you hop in.
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Is Xbox Live Gold Worth It In 2021
These latest changes to Xbox Live Gold represent its biggest evolution since its launch on the original Xbox, leaving some to question whether they need the subscription in 2021. It’s fair to say there’s less reason to purchase the membership after these changes, with previous member-only benefits now freely available on the consoles. But Xbox Live Gold still plays a crucial role, underpinning the online multiplayer for all other titles on the platform.
For those who exclusively play Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, or other free-to-play games on Xbox, these changes could net some savings on that monthly cost. These top titles can all be played subscription-free, coupled with free Party Chat access to communicate with friends. But straying beyond the small pool of free games, Xbox Live Gold is essential for online multiplayer. That’s a decision unique to you but worth consideration following the switch-up.
Xbox Live Gold
Xbox Live Gold remains Microsoft’s go-to subscription for multiplayer gaming on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Upcoming changes allow you to play free-to-play games online without a subscription, but with the requirement still in place for other titles.
Which Multiplayer Games Will Be Free
Microsoft made a sweeping change across the Xbox platform, unlocking multiplayer across all free-to-play content on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles. That includes many of today’s best Xbox games, including Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends. Other highlights include Destiny 2, Hyper Scape, ROBLOX, SMITE, Warframe, and World of Tanks, to name a few. Future titles that launch for free on Xbox consoles will come with the same exemption from Xbox Live Gold restrictions. Here’s the full list of free-to-play titles that don’t require Xbox Live Gold on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S:
- 3on3 FreeStyle
- Dead or Alive 5 Last Round: Core Fighters
- Dead or Alive 6: Core Fighters
- Defiance 2050
- The Four Kings Casino and Slots
- Too Human
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What Is Xbox Live Gold And Is It Worth It
Chris Hoffman is Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. He’s written about technology for over a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Chris has written for The New York Times, been interviewed as a technology expert on TV stations like Miami’s NBC 6, and had his work covered by news outlets like the BBC. Since 2011, Chris has written over 2,000 articles that have been read nearly one billion times—and that’s just here at How-To Geek. Read more…
If you have an Xbox One or Xbox 360, Microsofts Xbox Live Gold service is required to play multiplayer games online. A subscription costs $10 per month or $60 per year. Xbox Live Gold also includes additional benefits, like free games every month and discounts on some digital games.