Microsoft has announced that Xbox Live Gold, the popular live service that has enabled players to play online multiplayer games for the past 20 years, will evolve into Xbox Game Pass Core on September 14th.
A new subscription tier within the wider Xbox Game Pass offering, Xbox Game Pass Core, will provide members with access to Xbox’s multiplayer network, a select collection of over 25 games to play with friends around the world, and exclusive member deals, all for $10.95AUD per month or $79.95AUD per year.
(Credit – Xbox Wire)
For comparison, the highest tier within the subscription service, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, costs $18.95AUD per month and provides everything that Xbox Game Pass Core does, in addition to access to Day One Xbox titles and the ability to play hundreds of high quality games on console, PC and cloud.
According to Microsoft, the launch collection of over 25 games will come from Xbox Game Studios and various content partners, providing something for every gamer to play on either their Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One consoles.
These launch titles include:
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Among Us
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Descenders
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Dishonored 2
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Doom Eternal
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Fable Anniversary
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Fallout 4
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Fallout 76
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Forza Horizon 4
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Gears 5
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Grounded
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Halo 5: Guardians
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Halo Wars 2
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Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
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Human Fall Flat
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Inside
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Ori & The Will of the Wisps
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Psychonauts 2
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State of Decay 2
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The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited
Though the library may vary over time and by country.
(Credit – Xbox Wire)
What does this mean for current Xbox Live Gold members?
From September 14th, Xbox Live Gold members will be automatically transitioned to Game Pass Core members, with no change in pricing and immediate access to the new library of over 25 high quality games.
The Games with Gold benefits will also come to an end from September 1st. Gamers will still be able to access any Xbox One games they’ve previously redeemed, so long as they remain a Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate member.
On the other hand, Xbox 360 titles redeemed via Games with Gold will not require a subscription and will remain in the gamers’ library.
Looking at the overall benefits and the costs of the subscription, it’ll be interesting to see how many Xbox Live Gold members choose to opt into picking up Xbox Game Pass Ultimate over Xbox Game Pass Core.
