Microsoft is killing Xbox Live little by little. The company has replaced the Xbox Live portion of its subscription offerings with a new tier ofGame Passcalled Xbox Game Pass Core. It’s more affordable than Game Pass Console and Ultimate but has some limitations to justify the lower cost. Despite that, it’s a solid offering for those on a budget that lets you into the Game Pass ecosystem without breaking the bank too much.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3 months)
If you don’t want to wait for Core, you can get the full Game Pass Ultimate subscription right now.
What is Xbox Game Pass Core?
Xbox Game Pass Core replaces Xbox Live Gold in Microsoft’s subscription offerings. Rather than having and mixing two different services, Microsoft is getting everything under the Game Pass banner, which makes much more sense from a marketing perspective.
Because it’s the replacement for Xbox Live, this service includes access to the entire online multiplayer experience on Xbox. Game Pass Console is more expensive but doesn’t include access to multiplayer gaming on Xbox, so in that sense, Game Pass Core is a good bargain.
Of course, there’s a reason Game Pass Core costs less - it doesn’t come with the entire Game Pass library of games. Instead, you get a curated selection of more than 25 games, with new ones added two or three times per year (presumably, some games will be removed, though Microsoft didn’t get into that).
How Much is Xbox Game Pass Core?
Since Game Pass Core is replacing Xbox Live Gold, it’ll cost the same as the old subscription. you may pay $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year to access Game Pass Core.
It’s a good bargain compared to Game Pass Ultimate, which is $16.99 monthly. However, you only get access to around 25 games, whereas Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to hundreds of games in the entire Game Pass library, new games on day one, and access toEA Play. It really comes down to your budget: does it make sense to spend the extra money on Ultimate or save a few bucks a month on Game Pass Core?
When did Xbox Game Pass Core launch?
Game Pass Core launched on14 September 2023. The service was called Xbox Live Gold until then, and its free games weren’t available to players until 14 September.
What happens to existing Xbox Live Gold subscribers?
What games come with Xbox Game Pass Core?
At launch, Microsoft offered 36 games for Core members, promising to add more games every few months. Currently, here are the games from studios like Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and other third-party developers:
