In the spirit of keeping the gaming world on its toes, Microsoft has officially bid adieu to its long-standing Xbox Live Gold subscription service. Rising from its ashes is the latest tier of Game Pass, aptly named Xbox Game Pass Core. And that’s no blarney, folks!
Xbox Live Gold: A Fond Farewell
For years, the rumour mill has been grinding about the potential knockout punch to Xbox Live Gold, particularly since the arrival of the high and mighty Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with its charming online multiplayer support. But now, the moment has finally arrived, and it’s a bit like the denouement in a dramatic play.
You see, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate was always the flashier, bolder sibling. Even though it came with a heftier price tag, it outshone Xbox Live Gold in nearly every way. It was as though the Ultimate version waltzed into the room, online multiplayer and free Games with Gold in hand, and nonchalantly tossed the entire Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass libraries into the ring.
In contrast, Xbox Live Gold was like the old dog trying to learn new tricks, while Microsoft appeared more engrossed in sprucing up the Game Pass lineup. It wasn’t hard to see which way the wind was blowing.
Xbox Game Pass Core: The Shiny New Contender
Come September 14th, Xbox Live Gold will bow out, graciously stepping aside for Xbox Game Pass Core to take centre stage. You can snag this hot ticket for a smooth £9.99/$9.99 a month or £59.99/$59.99 a year, keeping in harmony with the current Xbox Live Gold pricing.
Monthly free games may be off the table, but subscribers can look forward to an enticing assortment of Game Pass titles. Have a glance at the promising line-up:
| List of Games |
|---|
| 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 |
What’s intriguing about this monumental change is its impact on the steadfast Xbox 360 users. Given that Xbox Game Pass hasn’t set foot in the Xbox 360 universe yet, we’re curious to see how this plays out.
Related: Xbox Game Pass Amplifies its Lineup with GTA V
That said, the Xbox family is now an intriguing jumble of offerings with four different versions of Game Pass: Xbox Game Pass Core, the original version of Game Pass for Windows PC, consoles and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It’s quite the platter to choose from. While the Games with Gold program might have been left in the shadows for a while now, this transition, unlikely as it is to ruffle many feathers, is an exciting new chapter in the Microsoft saga.
About The Author
Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.