Xbox Game Studios (Microsoft) “href =” https://www.videogameschronicle.com/companies/microsoft/ “> Microsoft is reportedly set to discontinue Xbox” href = “https://www.videogameschronicle.com/ platforms / xbox / “> Xbox Live Gold, which is currently required to play multiplayer Xbox games online.
That’s according to VentureBeat journalist Jeff Grubb, who made the claim on Friday after a list removed by retailer Smyths Toys claimed Halo Infinite “href =” https://www.videogameschronicle.com/games/halo/halo- infinite / “> Halo Infinite will feature an” innovative free multiplayer experience “running at 120 fps.
“Halo Free” href = “https://www.videogameschronicle.com/games/halo/”> Halo MP only makes sense if the Xbox Live Gold barrier disappears at least for free games, “he said.
When asked if he thinks Microsoft will get rid of Xbox Live Gold entirely or simply remove the paywall for free games, Grubb replied, “I think it’s completely disappearing.”
Xbox Live Gold is required to play free multiplayer games like Fortnite “href =” https://www.videogameschronicle.com/games/fortnite/ “> Fortnite and Call of Duty Warzone” href = “https: // www.videogameschronicle. com / games / call-of-duty / call-of-duty-warzone / “> Call of Duty Warzone online. Instead, PlayStation 4 “href =” https://www.videogameschronicle.com/platforms/playstation/ps4/ “> PS4 and Nintendo Switch” href = “https://www.videogameschronicle.com/platforms/nintendo/switch / “> Switch owners are not required to subscribe to online services to play any of these games.
Last year, Microsoft began combining Xbox Live Gold with Xbox Game Pass in the form of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $ 14.99 / £ 10.99 per month and will also include Project xCloud when it launches in September.
“Xbox Live Gold is going to disappear and playing multiplayer online will be free,” Grubb continued. “They won’t force you to play Ultimate to play online.”
Earlier this month, Microsoft stopped selling Xbox Live Gold subscriptions for 12 months, fueling speculation that the long-running service could be repackaged or removed to coincide with the Xbox Series X “href =” https: / /www.videogameschronicle.com/platforms / xbox / scarlett / “> Xbox Series X will launch this holiday season.
While the platform owner no longer offers an annual Xbox Live Gold membership option, one and three month subscriptions are still available.
“At this time Xbox has decided to remove the 12-month Xbox Live Gold SKU from Microsoft’s online store,” said a company spokesperson. “Customers can still sign up online for a 1-month or 3-month Xbox Live Gold subscription through the Microsoft Store.”
In addition to multiplayer game access, Xbox Live Gold offers members two to four games free each month and discounts of up to 50% on Xbox One “href =” https://www.videogameschronicle.com/platforms/xbox/ xb1 / “> Xbox One Products in Microsoft Store.
