Update (Wed 5th Aug, 2020 17:45 BST): Microsoft has commented on the removal of Xbox Live mentions from its Service Agreement (which you can see in the original story below), telling Windows Central the following:
"The update to 'Xbox online service' in the Microsoft Services Agreement refers to the underlying Xbox service that includes features like cross-saves and friend requests. This language update is intended to distinguish that underlying service, and the paid Xbox Live Gold subscription. There are no changes being made to the experience of the service or Xbox Live Gold..."
It has also responded to The Verge about some of the recent rumours surrounding Xbox Live Gold:
“We have no plans to discontinue Xbox Live Gold at this time. It is an important part of gaming on Xbox today, and will continue to be in the future.”
The Verge points out that Microsoft having "no plans to discontinue Xbox Live Gold" doesn't necessarily mean it won't go free at some point in the future, as the company hasn't specifically commented on that rumour.
Make of this what you will, folks!
Original story (Tue 4th Aug, 2020 20:30 BST): There have been rumours recently that Microsoft might be planning to make major changes to its Xbox Live service, and now the company has removed (nearly) all mention of it from its Microsoft Services Agreement.
This applies specifically to the most recent version of the agreement, updated August 1st and effective October 1st. In the notes, it's explained that Xbox Live has been changed, now being referred to as "Xbox online service."
This doesn't confirm anything just yet, but it's certainly going to add to the speculation that Microsoft might be preparing to phase out Xbox Live Gold - and possibly even the Xbox Live name entirely later this year.
What do you make of it? Let us know below.
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[source reddit.com, via windowscentral.com, theverge.com]
Comments 21
Any moment now.
Free online is coming.
It will be interesting to see what Sony & Nintendo do after this happens.
Yea, right now its just a rename, not even a hint of it going free [based on this anyways.]
I have nothing to win from a free change even if it happens, since now I'm a GamePass Ultimate subscriber until 2022, at minimum, but it would be an insane value proposition.
I mean, things keep adding up (although tons of [potentially] here)
Cheaper console [Potentially]
Free Multiplayer [Potentially]
Use all your existing controllers
Play all first party games for as low as $10 a month, cancel any time...
If things align as expected, owning an XBox is going to be a LOT cheaper in the long run even if both consoles launch at the same price point.
@KelticDevil Got to keep in mind that F2P games already had free multiplayer on PS4 and Switch. If you are a Fortnite player, the only place you have to pay to play at all is XBox.
Yes, paid games still require the paid online service, but more and more, it is f2p games that people are actually gathering in large numbers to play. And right now, Microsoft is at a disadvantage there. Something needs to change, even if it's just catchup to make f2p gaming truly free.
Free multiplayer is coming people, I have a felling they'll announce it this month..
@Tharsman
Yes, I know Xbox’s online policies and all of what you said. I am more curious if Xbox lifts the fee to play all games online what the other two will do. It shall be interesting to watch.
I own both a PS4 and Xbox One, and for next gen I really just want to get one. As much as I love the Sony exclusives, Xbox just keeps adding more and more reasons to go with them...it'll be interesting to see the next year or two how it all plays out before I make any decision.
The plot thickens, exciting stuff ahead for Xbox methinks. At this rate I doubt I'll bother picking up a PS5.
We just need Nintendo to be smart and acknowledge that their service isn't worth charging for, and make their online free too.
They could keep the subscription, but just have it be a bonus for cloud saves and Access to the NES games.
The news is someone reads service agreements.
Well I got an Xbox Email today...
Go Gold
Join Xbox Live Gold today to get:
Most Advanced Network
Multiplayer Gaming
2-4 Free Games a Month
Game Discounts
XBOX GAME PASS ULTIMATE:
100+ console games
100+ PC games
Xbox Live Gold
Active Gold membership required to play free games you’ve redeemed.
So I don't know what's going on. I can understand the Game Pass Ultimate push but it seems odd to push 'Gold' if Online multiplayer is going free soon.
@Grot Yeah, I've thought the same thing. A Series S with a few months of GamePass bundled in and free access to multiplayer would be a SAVAGE challenge to the PS5 early on if Microsoft priced it aggressively.
Big annoucements coming in august.
Just can't wait !
@BAMozzy Free upgrade to Game Pass Ultimate seems likely in the outcome where Gold disappears.
Updated with a couple of new statements!
At this point being not impressed with xbox showcase it is the free online that is making me consider a series s or series x. If online is paid I'll likely not buy anything.
That's a hard no to free multiplayer from my point of view. Not the end of the world of course but it would've been quite a statement.
Love the "There are no changes being made to the experience of the service or Xbox Live Gold." (note that is not "we have no plans to change things"
Then they only specifically say "no plans" to the topic of discontinuing it.
This reinforces my original take:
It WILL be changed in the future (maybe alongside the launch of Series X) so that Online does not require a paid Gold account, and Gold will remain as a Free Games Per Month + Discounts program.
Or simply said: Gold is not going anywhere, but they might detach multiplayer from it.
The plot thickens with the latest update, I still think something is going on behind the scenes...
“No plans to discontinue at this time”
Ah, the classic corporate non-denial denial.
@Tharsman Yea man that is what I have been feeling, a bit like the old Sony model. Online multiplayer Free but GOLD is optional to get some extra perks.
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