Can Xbox Live Gold Be Used on Xbox One?
The short answer is: No, you can’t use Xbox Live Gold on Xbox One anymore. Xbox Live Gold was officially discontinued and replaced by Xbox Game Pass Core on September 14, 2023. This means that if you’re looking for the features and benefits that Xbox Live Gold used to offer, you need to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Core instead. While the name has changed, the fundamental purpose remains the same: to allow access to online multiplayer gaming and other features. Let’s delve deeper into what this means for Xbox One users.
Understanding the Transition: Xbox Live Gold to Xbox Game Pass Core
The transition from Xbox Live Gold to Xbox Game Pass Core was a significant shift in Microsoft’s Xbox subscription strategy. Xbox Live Gold had been the go-to subscription for accessing online multiplayer gaming on Xbox consoles for years. However, in September 2023, Microsoft decided to evolve the offering to provide a more comprehensive value package.
What Changed?
- Discontinuation of Xbox Live Gold: The name Xbox Live Gold is now officially retired. It is no longer available for purchase as a separate subscription.
- Introduction of Xbox Game Pass Core: This new subscription takes over the role of Xbox Live Gold, providing the essential online multiplayer access that players have come to expect.
- Evolution of Game Libraries: While Xbox Live Gold previously included monthly “Games with Gold” perks, Game Pass Core offers access to a catalog of over 25 high-quality games that can be played as long as your subscription is active. This catalog will be updated periodically with new additions.
- Price Point Remains the Same: The pricing structure remained consistent. Game Pass Core is available at the same price that Xbox Live Gold used to cost, which is roughly $10 per month or $60 annually.
- Automatic Transition for Existing Members: Existing Xbox Live Gold members were automatically transitioned to Game Pass Core upon its launch, ensuring a seamless continuity of service.
What This Means for Xbox One Users
If you were an active Xbox Live Gold member on your Xbox One, your subscription automatically converted to Xbox Game Pass Core. This means you didn’t need to do anything to maintain your online multiplayer access. However, if you were not subscribed to Xbox Live Gold you will now have to buy Xbox Game Pass Core to take advantage of the online aspects.
For Xbox One users, the key takeaways are:
- You can no longer purchase Xbox Live Gold: If your subscription has expired, you’ll need to subscribe to Game Pass Core to play online multiplayer games.
- Game Pass Core provides online multiplayer access: The same online multiplayer capabilities that Xbox Live Gold offered are now available with Xbox Game Pass Core.
- Access to a Catalog of Games: You get access to a library of games that is part of the Game Pass Core offering.
Activating Your Xbox Game Pass Core Subscription on Xbox One
Activating Xbox Game Pass Core is straightforward. There are a few ways to do it:
- Via the Xbox Website:
- Go to Xbox.com.
- Select “Log in” and sign into your Microsoft account.
- Click on your profile picture to open the drop-down menu.
- Choose “Redeem code”.
- Enter your 25-character code (if you have one) and follow the prompts.
- Directly on Your Xbox One:
- Turn on your Xbox One console.
- Go to the Xbox Store.
- Search for “Xbox Game Pass Core”.
- Select the subscription option and follow the on-screen instructions.
Regardless of the method you choose, ensure you are signed in with the correct Microsoft account that you wish to activate your membership with.
Utilizing Xbox Game Pass Core Benefits
Once activated, you can immediately start enjoying the benefits of Xbox Game Pass Core, which include:
- Online Multiplayer Access: Enjoy playing multiplayer games online with friends and other players.
- Access to a Catalog of Games: Dive into a collection of high-quality console games. These games are available to download and play as long as you maintain your Game Pass Core subscription. The titles included in the catalog may change, and additional titles will be added over time.
- Member Deals: You may also gain access to special discounts and promotions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the transition from Xbox Live Gold to Xbox Game Pass Core, specifically focusing on how they affect Xbox One users.
1. Do I need Xbox Game Pass Core to play online multiplayer games on Xbox One?
Yes, you need Xbox Game Pass Core to access online multiplayer for non-free-to-play games on your Xbox One. This replaces the function previously fulfilled by Xbox Live Gold.
2. Is Xbox Live Gold still available to purchase?
No, Xbox Live Gold is no longer available to purchase. It has been discontinued and replaced by Xbox Game Pass Core.
3. What is the price of Xbox Game Pass Core?
The price for Xbox Game Pass Core is $10 per month or $60 per year, similar to the old Xbox Live Gold subscription price.
4. If I had Xbox Live Gold, what happened to my subscription?
Your Xbox Live Gold subscription was automatically converted to Xbox Game Pass Core on September 14, 2023, at no additional cost.
5. Can I transfer my Xbox Game Pass Core subscription to another account?
No, you cannot transfer your Game Pass Core membership to another gamertag. The membership is tied to the Microsoft account that it was purchased on.
6. Can I use Xbox Game Pass Core on multiple consoles?
You can use your Xbox Game Pass Core on multiple consoles. However, you can only play simultaneously on one console at a time using that account unless using the home console feature. Setting a console as your ‘Home Xbox’ allows other users on that console to also access features related to your subscription even when you are not logged in.
7. Do I need two Xbox Game Pass Core accounts for two consoles?
No, you only need one Game Pass Core account. You can log into the same account on multiple consoles, but concurrent gameplay with the same account is restricted to the Home Xbox and the console the account is currently active on.
8. What games are included with Xbox Game Pass Core?
Xbox Game Pass Core provides access to a curated catalog of over 25 high-quality games at launch, with new titles being added periodically. This catalog replaces the older “Games with Gold” program.
9. How do I redeem a code for Xbox Game Pass Core?
You can redeem a Xbox Game Pass Core code either on Xbox.com or directly on your Xbox One console. Instructions for both methods were detailed earlier.
10. Can I get Xbox Game Pass Core for free?
Microsoft Rewards is a program that allows you to earn points by using Microsoft products, which can then be redeemed for subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass Core. There are also occasional promotions that may include trials of Game Pass Core.
11. Why can’t I find a yearly option for Xbox Game Pass Core?
While Microsoft does not offer a yearly plan directly, it’s sometimes still available through third-party retailers. These stock will eventually deplete as Microsoft has shifted to monthly payment options.
12. Do I need to pay for Xbox Live now?
You don’t have to pay to be part of the Xbox Network, however, to play online multiplayer games outside of free-to-play titles, you’ll need an Xbox Game Pass Core or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
13. What is the difference between Xbox Live and Xbox Game Pass Core?
Xbox Live is the online network that is free for all Xbox users. Xbox Game Pass Core is the paid subscription service that provides access to online multiplayer and a catalog of games, replacing Xbox Live Gold.
14. Can I still get a refund for Xbox Game Pass Core if I change my mind?
Refunds for Xbox Game Pass Core memberships are generally not available, and are handled on a case-by-case basis, based on region-specific consumer laws.
15. What happens if my Xbox Game Pass Core subscription lapses?
If your Xbox Game Pass Core subscription lapses, you will lose access to the online multiplayer features and the catalog of games included with the service. You can re-subscribe at any time to regain access.
Conclusion
While the name Xbox Live Gold has been retired, its functionality has been succeeded by Xbox Game Pass Core. This transition ensures that Xbox One users can continue to enjoy online multiplayer gaming and access a selection of curated titles. By understanding these changes, you can fully leverage the features and benefits of Microsoft’s current subscription offerings. If you are looking to play online multiplayer and are on Xbox One, you will need to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Core.