Not much left of Xbox Live anyway and now it seems Xbox Live Gold is on the verge of extinction as well. But don’t worry, a replacement is apparently in sight.
Update:
And there is that too official confirmation. A few minutes ago, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass Core will replace Xbox Live Gold starting September 14th. Game Pass Core gives you access to the multiplayer network, a curated collection of 25+ games, and exclusive member offers—all for $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year. In Europe, the price remains the same as the old Xbox Live Gold at EUR 6.99 per month.
The service launch titles mentioned in the original message (see below) are correct. Games with Gold will disappear specifically from September 1st, instead new titles will be added to Game Pass Core initially on September 14th and then two to three times a year. Existing Xbox Live Gold memberships will be automatically converted on September 14th. Access to previously claimed titles via Games with Gold will be retained, so you won’t lose anything.
Original message:
The internet is fast and alert, so a report on Windows Central that has since been taken down leaked after all, one in particular Korean sidewho was able to grab a few more pictures quickly.
If the report is to be believed, the end of Xbox Live Gold is imminent, more or less the last holdover from Xbox Live, whose brand name hasn’t really been used since 2021. Xbox Live Gold is said to be retiring in September 2023 and being replaced by a new Xbox Game Pass option.
Accordingly, Xbox Live Gold is to be replaced by Xbox Game Pass Core from September 1st, the price is $9.99, which corresponds to the price of Xbox Live Gold. The Core tier will reportedly include access to online multiplayer for non-free-to-play titles, as well as member deals and discounts offered at other Game Pass tiers.
All Xbox Live Gold subscriptions will reportedly be automatically converted to Xbox Game Pass Core subscriptions on September 1st, while any games you got for free through Games with Gold will remain in your account. Games with Gold will also appear to be retiring, being replaced by a line-up of over 25 free games available to subscribers, possibly rotating.
According to reports, these games will be available to you at launch: 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 and the Will of the Wisps, Psychonauts 2, State of Decay 2 and Elder Scrolls Online.
An official announcement is still pending, but if the information is correct, it should certainly not be long in coming.