Microsoft replaces Xbox Live Gold with Xbox Game Pass Core

For the existing Xbox Live Gold members, the seamless transition to Xbox Game Pass Core will start on September 14. This initiative is part of Microsoft's plans to expand the overall Xbox Game Pass subscriber base, giving newcomers a taste of its industry-leading subscription-based content libraries for gaming for a lower cost.

Interestingly, Microsoft's shift in strategy comes on the heels of Xbox boss Phil Spencer's admission that Game Pass growth is slackening and has the potential to cannibalize sales. Despite the criticism from industry veterans such as the PlayStation boss Jim Ryan and Activision Blizzard boss Bobby Kotick, Microsoft stays firm in its stance, bolstering its commitment to the Game Pass model.

Microsoft's decision to replace Xbox Live Gold with Xbox Game Pass Core helps streamline and enhance its online services. However, it might also lead to some confusion among gamers, particularly about the online multiplayer aspects. The Xbox Game Pass doesn't include multiplayer; you'll still need Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for that. The rebranding seems to further muddle this potentially perplexing aspect of requiring Xbox Live Gold alongside a regular Game Pass subscription.

At $10 a month, you won't need to spend much more to enjoy the full Xbox Game Pass experience on consoles. However, as already mentioned, you'll need Xbox Game Pass Ultimate if you want to enjoy multiplayer and the full Xbox Game Pass library, among others. Thus, the Xbox Game Pass Core feels like a deliberate move by Xbox to make the subsequent tiers look more attractive. However, by matching the pricing of the PlayStation Plus Essential tier, which hosts a similarly-sized library of games albeit with 3-4 free games every month and the same multiplayer access, it makes the cheapest offering feel weaker compared to its direct competition. Not to mention, PlayStation Plus offers multiplayer across all three tiers, lessening the confusion.

Either way, the end of Xbox Live Gold represents a crucial turning point in Xbox's history, reflecting an era of change within the brand. Microsoft is on the brink of acquiring Activision-Blizzard-King, which is a move that will dramatically expand its PC gaming catalog and mobile gaming presence.

The company's insistence on the Game Pass model underscores its ambitions to redefine how games are consumed and positions it better to become the Netflix of the gaming world.

Ultimately, the long-term impact of these changes will depend on how they're received by gamers, and whether it will be able to clear up the potential confusion surrounding the various subscription options.