Ever since Microsoft released the Xbox Series X and S last November, the company ushered Xbox players into the new generation of console gaming and stepped up its strategy with one of its most popular video game services, the Xbox Game Pass. For the past several months, Microsoft has included several big-name games to the service's roster, including new games that can be accessible on day one.
Additionally, Microsoft's purchase of third-party game studios such as Bethesda also meant that Xbox Game Pass subscribers would soon be able to access its iconic titles. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for Xbox Live Gold, given that subscribers of this service have been disappointed by its roster of free games for the past several months now. Although it is disappointing to see Microsoft neglecting Xbox Live Gold, it appears that the company has made clear its intentions for the future of the service and who it is actually for.
Xbox Live Gold is Primarily For Players Heavy on Paid Multiplayer Games
It is worth noting that Microsoft has announced that free-to-play online games will no longer require an Xbox Live Gold subscription. This means that players of games such as Fortnite and Apex Legends no longer need to maintain an active subscription to Xbox Live Gold to access its online multiplayer functionality. Although paid online multiplayer games still require a subscription, removing the paywall for free-to-play games has obviously reduced the value of Xbox Live Gold.
For players who are not heavy players of paid online multiplayer games, it is obvious that Xbox Live Gold is no longer valuable, given that the roster of free Games with Gold offered to players monthly does not justify the price of a subscription. For a time, Microsoft did offer a satisfying lineup when it announced its February roster of free games, given that it included an Xbox Series X/S optimized game, alongside some big-name games. Unfortunately, it appears that February's lineup was just a one-time deal, most likely to appease disgruntled subscribers after Microsoft attempted to raise the Xbox Live Gold's monthly fees.
However, March and April's roster of free games were announced, and once again, Microsoft reverted to the status quo of not including any Xbox Series X/S titles, and the games it offered its last-gen consoles were mostly niche titles. At this point, Microsoft has made it clear that Xbox Live Gold is targeted towards players who are heavy on paid online multiplayer games.
Most Xbox Players Are Better Off with Xbox Game Pass
Although most console gamers still purchase games individually, it is no secret that the landscape is slowly changing in favor of services like Xbox Game Pass and PS Now that offer a library of games for a monthly subscription fee. Microsoft is well-aware of this situation, which is why it is focusing its efforts on improving Game Pass. It is worth noting that the Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass are priced the same at $9.99 per month, and Microsoft is even offering insane deals on the Game Pass for new subscribers.
Xbox Game Pass players get access to hundreds of Xbox games spanning several console generations for the same price. Not to mention, Microsoft is also working hard to get new games release on the Xbox Game Pass on day one. With the Xbox Live Gold stagnating in terms of value, it is clear that Microsoft caes more for the majority of Xbox players subscribed to Game Pass than Live Gold. For those heavy on paid online multiplayer games, Microsoft offers Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which combines Live Gold with Game Pass for a slightly more expensive fee of $14.99.
If Microsoft sees Xbox Game Pass as the future of Xbox consoles, it remains unclear why it doesn't want to phase out Live Gold and have players subscribe to either Xbox Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate. Nonetheless, Xbox Live Gold will probably remain as it is for the foreseeable future, and Microsoft is probably just letting the service run its course naturally.