Microsoft Xbox Live Gold being retired; Game Pass Core taking place

[Raine]

Online play for non-F2P games will still be locked behind the paywall.

Summary

• Xbox Live Gold is becoming Xbox Game Pass Core starting September 14.
• New select collection of games with Xbox Game Pass Core.

Today, we’re continuing our commitment to give players more choice and value by introducing Xbox Game Pass Core, launching on September 14. Game Pass Core is the evolution of Xbox Live Gold. Game Pass Core will give players access to our advanced multiplayer network, a select collection of over 25 games to play with friends around the world, and exclusive member deals, all for $9.99 USD per month or $59.99 USD per year.

Our launch collection of more than 25 titles from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and our content partners will offer something for everyone to play on their Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. Today we’re confirming the following titles for launch*, with more to be announced in advance of September 14. New titles will be added 2-3 times a year.

• Among Us
• Descenders
• Dishonored 2
• Doom Eternal
• Fable Anniversary
• Fallout 4
• Fallout 76
• Forza Horizon 4
• Gears 5
• Grounded
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Halo Wars 2
• Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
• Human Fall Flat
• Inside
• Ori & The Will of the Wisps
• Psychonauts 2
• State of Decay 2
• The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited

*Game library may vary over time and by country.

 

[Tirith]

I saw this coming from MILES away. My game pass ultimate sub is expiring in November, and I'm not renewing.

 

[Raine]

We did the Gold-to-Ultimate 1:1 promotional conversion back in December, so we're good through the end of 2025. Will be interesting to see where pricing and options stand at that point, but I don't think we can really justify maintaining two accounts going forward. The Family Plan looked compelling when they first announced it, but they've played around with pricing on it and just pulled the "Beta" so who knows where that'll land.

Beyond that, I'm still not super keen on the idea of paying to have access to largely P2P online play. And while there are good games in that first list, there isn't anything that I don't own outright and want to play. ...And even if I did most of those games can routinely be grabbed for $5~$10 anyway.

 

[Tirith]

My thing is, I can't justify the price for something I barely use. I may go back to it eventually, but I only played forza and flight sim on game pass