Xbox Games Free To Play
Starting today free-to-play Xbox games are going to be free for all Xbox players, no matter their current subscription status.
This means that the online multiplayer for games like Rocket League and Apex Legends will now not require an Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
You can see the official announcement tweet from Xbox’s Major Nelson below:
Take Advanatge Of Gpt Websites
Similar to Microsoft Rewards, many get-paid-to websites are offering Xbox gift cards to reward users who accomplish required tasks. Most of them are simple including answering surveys, product testing, downloading an app or watching videos. Its important to go for a trustworthy website, or it can be a total waste of time.
To save you the effort, here are 4 reliable websites to get started:
Xbox Chief Says Project Scarlett Will Not Be Out Of Position On Power Or Price
Microsoft isnt going to repeat its mistakes from the Xbox One with its next-generation Xbox console. I would say a learning from the Xbox One generation is we will not be out of position on power or price, says Phil Spencer, Microsofts Xbox and gaming chief, in an interview with The Verge. If you remember the beginning of this generation we were a hundred dollars more expensive and yes, we were less powerful. And we started Project Scarlett with this leadership team in place with a goal of having market success.
That market success will be key for Xbox, after years of falling behind PlayStation sales and questions over its games lineup. Either way, Spencer thinks there are plenty of generations of Xbox ahead. We had the discussion years ago do we want to go do another generation? Yes, and do we think there will be multiple generations ahead of us? I actually think there probably is, says Spencer. So were going all in. Were all-in on Project Scarlett and I want to compete, and I want to compete in the right ways which is why were focused on cross-play and backward compatibility.
Microsoft might not be ready to talk more about Scarlett, but I also wanted to know where the company is heading in PC gaming. Spencer has admitted theres a lot to do for PC gaming in the past, and weve seen the company embrace Steam, introduce a new Xbox Game Bar on Windows 10, and launch Xbox Game Pass for PC. It still feels like theres so much more to do, though.
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Microsoft Movies & Tv / Microsoft Films & Tv
On November 6, 2006, Microsoft announced Microsoft Movies & TV , an exclusive video store accessible through the console. Launched in the United States on November 22, 2006, the first anniversary of the Xbox 360’s launch, the service allows users in the United States to download high-definition and standard-definition television shows for purchase and movies for rental onto an Xbox 360 console for viewing. With the exception of short clips, content is not currently available for streaming, and must be downloaded. Movies are available for rental from the Video Marketplace. They expire in 14 days after download or at the end of the first 24 hours after the movie has begun playing, whichever comes first. Television episodes can be purchased to own, and are transferable to an unlimited number of consoles. Downloaded files use 5.1 surround audio and are encoded using VC-1 for video at 720p, with a bitrate of 6.8 Mbit/s. Television content is offered from MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Turner Broadcasting and CBS and movie content is Warner Bros., Paramount and Disney, along with other publishers.
The “Game with Fame” initiative has been Microsoft’s way to connect Xbox Live members with celebrities and game developers. Notable participants of “Game with Fame” include Shia LaBeouf, Jack Black, Rihanna, Velvet Revolver, Victoria Justice, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Scissor Sisters, Paramore, Korn, OK Go, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Dream Theater, Linkin Park, Green Day and Insane Clown Posse.
Xbox Live Gold Changes: What’s New For 2021
Microsoft just rolled out the biggest changes to Xbox Live Gold since launch, in turn shaking up the value proposition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S owners. The drastic policy shift changes up a subscription that’s gone untouched in years, now opening previously paid features to any Xbox console owner. That chiefly includes dropping the Xbox Live Gold requirement on free-to-play multiplayer titles, plus opening multiple social features to all on Xbox.
Xbox consoles have required an Xbox Live Gold membership to access online multiplayer since their inception, but changes introduced this April drop that mandate for free-to-play games. You no longer need to pay the monthly fee on many popular titles, including Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends, to name a few. While all paid Xbox games still require Xbox Live Gold, those with zero-cost entry are now entirely free on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
The platform has also lifted the Xbox Live Gold requirement on Party Chat and Looking for Group on Xbox consoles, two popular social features for multiplayer. The former, Microsoft’s staple voice chat system for Xbox, finally goes free and opens communication among all players. The LFG system also provides a platform to search for teammates and like-minded players across the Xbox network, filtering users by game and various social preferences.
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Xbox Live Gold: What’s Not Good In 2021
While Xbox Live Gold delivers upon all its promises, unlocking the full multiplayer experience on Xbox consoles, the subscription has its shortcomings. For some, it’s the concept of paid multiplayer, whereas free online gaming is an overlooked luxury for many on PC. But the subscription’s current offering has also fallen under scrutiny, especially in light of the recent changes to free-to-play gaming.
While paying for online multiplayer has proven the norm for Xbox, that’s not to say it’s dodged heavy scrutiny at times. According to reputable reports, Microsoft even looked to phase out paid multiplayer back in 2019, as Xbox Game Pass takes the spotlight moving forward. The recent tweaks to free-to-play multiplayer have since materialized in a move that, for some players, could eliminate the need for Xbox Live Gold.
Free-to-play games now make up some of the most popular Xbox games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends. There’s a valid argument to cancel your Xbox Live Gold subscription if among those only using a console for those no-cost titles. That hugely restricts which experiences you can play, but it’s an ideal way to save on your upgoing gaming costs.
Xbox Live Gold’s “Games with Gold” program, offering four free games each month, pales in comparison to Xbox Game Pass offerings.
How Much Is An Xbox Network Subscription
The basic Xbox Network subscription is free. Anyone can sign up for an Xbox Network account. If you want more perks and features, you’ll need to purchase a Gold account subscription.
Accessing the Xbox Network on the original Xbox console is no longer available. To use the Xbox Network, you must have an Xbox 360 or Xbox One as well as a broadband internet service provider.
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Nintendo Switch Online Users Surprised With N64 Pokemon Game
Nintendo Switch Online subscribers on Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED have been surprised with a new free N64 game, and this time it’s a Pokemon game. Unfortunately, because it’s an N64 game, it’s limited to Expansion Pack subscribers, aka subscribers who pay for the premium version of Switch Online in order to have access to the library of free N64 and Sega Genesis games it comes with. If you’re one of these fancy Nintendo Switch Online subscribers with the Expansion Pack, you can look forward to playing Pokemon Puzzle League on July 15.
Developed by Nintendo Software Technology, Pokemon Puzzle League debuted back in 2000, at least in North America. The game didn’t come to Europe until the following year though. An N64 exclusive, the puzzle game garnered a Metacritic score of 81 when it was released. Eight years later, in 2008, it came to the Wii Virtual Console on May 5. Now, it’s coming to Nintendo Switch Online.
For more coverage on Nintendo Switch — and Nintendo Switch Online specifically — click here. Meanwhile, and as always, feel free to leave a comment or two letting us know what you think or, alternatively, let me know over on Twitter . What N64 game do you want to see added to Switch Online next?
Xbox Live Gold Review:
Xbox Live Gold Subscription
Bottom line: Xbox Live Gold remains a staple essential when using Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S online unless exclusively tied up in free-to-play titles. The value in the subscription comes entirely from its multiplayer perks, with Gold-exclusive rewards on the decline in 2021.
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Is The Cost Of Xbox Live Gold Increasing
No while Microsoft previously outlined plans to increase the cost of its Xbox Live Gold membership, the company changed course following widespread backlash among users. The price of Xbox Live Gold would double for many under the proposed changes, changing to $60 for six months versus the previous $60 12-month subscription. Xbox Live Gold members on a per-month payment would also see their plans increase $1 per month, at $11 per month. This adjustment is no longer planned.
Microsoft first detailed plans to change Xbox Live Gold pricing back in January, citing “changes in regional marketplaces,” and increased investments in the Xbox network. The negative response saw it backtrack less than 24 hours later, with no planned changes to the value of Gold. It also used the opportunity to announce changes around free-to-play titles, which set work in motion over the following months.
While Xbox Live Gold pricing could increase later, Microsoft remains committed to current prices, at least right now. That further distances the subscription from the all-inclusive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier, currently costing $15 monthly or $180 a year, including Xbox Live Gold alongside other benefits across the platform.
No Xbox Live Gold Needed: These 80+ Xbox Games Are Now Free To Play
After doing a u-turn on its Xbox Live Gold membership price hike, Microsoft makes these f2p games actually free to play
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This past weekend, Microsoft had a mini melodrama on its hands when it unceremoniously announced that it would be hiking up the price of its Xbox Live Gold subscription in an effort to herd customers towards its new Xbox Game Pass service.
The move backfired spectacularly, but to its credit, Xbox pivoted almost immediately, reverting the increase and apologising to the community for missing the mark. In an effort to quell tempers, the gaming giant dropped a nugget for Xbox players it had presumably been saving, but pulled the trigger on to claw back as much goodwill as possible: free-to-play games will no longer require an Xbox Live Gold monthly membership to enjoy. They will actually be free to play.
Microsoft announced the price increase at the end of last week, and after fast and furious backlash, quickly walked it back in a blog post update , admitting it “failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day.”
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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
Xbox Game Pass Or Bust
Microsoft didnt reveal any additional reasons behind the decision, but it does not come as much of a shock. Anyone that has been keeping up with the Games with Gold program over the past few years has seen the quality of titles dip significantly. For example, one of the free Xbox 360 games this month was Torchlight. Torchlight is a great game, but its also 13 years old and was already part of Games with Gold three years ago.
Furthermore, Microsoft has been making a concerted effort to push Xbox owners to Xbox Game Pass in recent months. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is essentially the Netflix for games, offering members access to over 100 new and recent games for $14.99 a month. It includes all of the same benefits as Xbox Live Gold as well.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members get the monthly games as well, but the selection pales in comparison to the Game Pass library. As such, this looks to be yet another way to nudge Xbox owners in the direction of Xbox Game Pass over Xbox Live Gold.
In the meantime, perhaps the quality of the free titles will improve. The quality of the games PlayStation Plus subscribers receive for free every month is much higher than Xbox Live Gold, and has been for a few years. I have no doubt that most Xbox owners would be thrilled to receive fewer free games if the quality of those games increased.
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Xbox Live Is Now Xbox Network: Here’s What’s Changing
Xbox Live may have changed its name to Xbox Network, but are the features still the same?
If you’ve hopped on your Xbox lately, you’ve probably noticed “Xbox network” has seemingly replaced that what we once called “Xbox Live” overnight. But what is the Xbox network, and how does it differ from Xbox Live?
Let’s break down the Xbox network and what it means for you.
Earn Xbox Game Pass With Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a famous online rewards site. By joining the community, complete tasks like playing games, complete surveys, download apps, watching videos and etc. to earn points. Then you can redeem your points for free gift cards such as Amazon gift cards or cash back from PayPal.
There are also special bundles that offer Game Pass access at a discounted rate. These deals can save you some serious money, so be sure to check them all out.
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Microsoft Will Discontinue Xbox Live Gold And Make Multiplayer Free Its Claimed
I heard between 19 million and 23 million before E3, but theyre at least approaching 23 million, he said, and as we get close to Halo I bet they easily hit 23-25 million by the end of this year, and once theyre at 30 million theyll probably reassess what theyre doing with Xbox Live Gold.
probably still wont go away until its probably closer to something like 40-50 million active users for Game Pass, but all that stuff seems within their grasp right now as long as they keep up the marketing side and promotional side along with all these games that are getting announced.
Well see how it goes with Halo. If Halo is a big lightning rod for adoption for Game Pass then theyll know: Oh, and when Starfield comes thats going to be our next major lightning rod, and everything in between is going to be sort of connective tissue.
And as we get these big games coming out on a faster cadence and by 2023 they should be hitting a pretty fast cadence in terms of releasing games Game Pass should at that point really hit its stride and they should be well on their way to getting rid of Xbox Live Gold.
But the point is, for now, Xbox Live Gold is still sticking around, but its still on the roadmap to go away for good.
In January, Microsoft reversed plans to increase the price of a six-month Xbox Live Gold subscription by 50% to $60.