Today serves as a momentous occasion for Xbox gamers, as it’s the last day for Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to claim free games under the Games with Gold program. Microsoft has announced that Xbox Live Gold will be replaced by a new subscription tier called Xbox Game Pass Core starting next month. Here’s everything you need to know about this transition and its implications.

Last Chance for Free Games

Two games are available for Xbox Live Gold subscribers to claim today—Blue Fire, a 3D platformer with Zelda and Soulslike elements, and Inertial Drift, a racing game. While Blue Fire caters to fans of Zelda and Dark Souls, Inertial Drift has also received mostly positive reviews and is worth considering for your digital library.

Introduction of Xbox Game Pass Core

The new Xbox Game Pass Core will be priced at $9.99 per month and will grant subscribers access to a select list of games from the Xbox Game Pass library. Like Xbox Live Gold, this service will also facilitate online gaming. However, the Games with Gold program’s free games will not be a part of this new service.

Discontinuation of Xbox Live Gold

Microsoft has decided to phase out Xbox Live Gold, a service that has been a cornerstone of the Xbox ecosystem for years. Many features of Xbox Live Gold will transition to Xbox Game Pass Core, but not all. The primary difference lies in the absence of free monthly games that were once a staple of Xbox Live Gold subscriptions.

The Shift in Focus to Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft has been increasingly investing in its Xbox Game Pass service over the years. Considering this, the discontinuation of Xbox Live Gold and the launch of Xbox Game Pass Core are not entirely surprising. These moves clearly indicate Microsoft’s intention to consolidate its subscription services and focus on delivering a curated game library via Xbox Game Pass.

Fan Reception

Though the end of the Xbox free Games with Gold program may sadden long-time Xbox gamers, it is an outcome that many likely saw coming. Microsoft’s increasing focus on the Xbox Game Pass service suggests that most players will shift their attention to the new and varied titles added to the Game Pass library each month.

Future Outlook

With Xbox Game Pass Core, subscribers can look forward to a range of games being added to the library every month. While the program may not offer free games as Xbox Live Gold did, it does provide a curated selection of titles that promise to keep gamers engaged in the months ahead.

Conclusion

The termination of Xbox Live Gold marks the end of an era but also the beginning of a new chapter with Xbox Game Pass Core. For gamers, this change brings a new way to experience a curated library of games, albeit without the free titles that were once a hallmark of Xbox Live Gold. As the gaming landscape evolves, Microsoft’s strategic shift highlights its vision for a consolidated, game-focused subscription service.

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