Microsoft is now removing its requirement for an Xbox Live Gold subscription to play free-to-play multiplayer games.
On Apr. 20, the software implemented the change after testing the removal over the past few weeks, and now every Xbox One, Xbox Series S and Series X owner will be able to play free multiplayer games without Xbox Live Gold.
Microsoft is also unlocking the Xbox party chat and the Looking For Groups or LFG feature as part of this rollout.
Xbox Live Gold subscription
The Xbox Live Gold changes very popular games like "Destiny 2," "Call of Duty: Warzone," "Fortnite," "Apex Legends," and many others will no longer require a subscription, according to The Verge.
More than 50 games will now be free-to-play. The changes certainly make the $299 Xbox Series S console a lot more appealing as a device for free-to-play multiplayer games.
Microsoft's removal of the Xbox Live Gold requirement came after the company was forced to reverse a price hike to its Xbox Live Gold subscriptions just earlier this year.
Microsoft had attempted to double the cost of a yearly subscription of Xbox Live Gold, a move that did not go down well with the fans of Xbox, according to XDA Developers.
Microsoft quickly backtracked the price hack and offered to remove the paywall for free-to-play multiplayer games.
Now that Microsoft has also made Xbox party chat and LFG free to use, it leaves Xbox Live Gold in an unsure spot.
The Xbox Live Gold also gives monthly free games to subscribers and discounts for the Microsoft Store, but most of its features are now free for all owners of modern Xbox, according to EGM.
Microsoft is now dropping Xbox Live branding, referring to the set of software and services as simply the Xbox network now.
The company has also been convincing its loyal base of Xbox Live Gold subscribers to move to Xbox Game Pass, which is a subscription service with more than 100 games.
What is Xbox Live Gold?
If you have an Xbox One or Xbox 360, Xbox Live Gold service is needed so you can play multiplayer games online. A subscription costs $10 monthly or $60 yearly.
Xbox Live Gold also includes additional benefits, like free games monthly and discounts on some digital games.
Microsoft has also added some additional features to this service. Xbox Live Gold members get a few free games monthly, and they also get access to members-only sales on some digital games.
If you wish to play online multiplayer on your Xbox One or Xbox 360, you will need Xbox Live Gold. Your subscription also enables access to the party system and voice chat.
If you try to use the online multiplayer features within games without Xbox Live Gold, you will be stopped and reminded to get Xbox Live Gold subscription.
This service is not necessary for playing single-player games, and it is not required when playing multiplayer games offline.
Xbox Live Gold is also not required if you wish to watch Netflix and Hulu or use other media-streaming apps. So if you are using Xbox 360 days, you will need to pay both the Netflix subscription fee and Xbox Live Gold subscription fee to watch Netflix on your Xbox One.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Sophie Webster
