Microsoft eliminates the requirement for an Xbox Live Gold subscription to play free multiplayer games today. The software maker has been testing this removal for the past few weeks, and now every Xbox One and Xbox Series S / X owner will be able to play free multiplayer games without Xbox Live Gold. Microsoft is also unlocking the Xbox Party chat and Looking For Groups (LFG) feature as part of this release.
Xbox Live Gold Changes means popular games like Destiny 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, Fortnite, Apex Legends, and many others will no longer require a subscription. Over 50 games will now be free. The changes definitely make the $ 299 Xbox Series S console much more appealing as a free multiplayer gaming device.
Microsoft’s removal of the Xbox Live Gold requirement came after the company was forced to reverse a price increase on its Xbox Live Gold subscriptions earlier this year. Microsoft has tried to double the cost of an annual Xbox Live Gold subscription, a move that hasn’t gone down well with Xbox fans. Microsoft backed down quickly and offered to remove the pay screen for free multiplayer games.
Now that Microsoft has also chatted with Xbox Party and LFG, it’s leaving Xbox Live Gold in a weird place. Xbox Live Gold also offers free monthly games to subscribers and discounts for the Microsoft Store, but most of its basic features are now free for all modern Xbox owners. However, you will need an Xbox Live Gold subscription for an Xbox 360.
Microsoft is abandoning the Xbox Live brand, referring to the software and services set as simply the Xbox network now. The company also persuaded its loyal Xbox Live Gold subscriber base to migrate to the Xbox Game Pass, a subscription service with over 100 games, which is Microsoft’s main goal for its gaming plans.