Did Xbox get rid of Xbox Live?

Xbox has undergone significant changes, with Xbox Live Gold being discontinued and replaced by Game Pass Core, a new subscription plan that offers online console multiplayer and a collection of over 25 games to play on Xbox Series X and S and Xbox One for $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year. The Xbox Live branding is being phased out, with the services essentially fusing together, and Games with Gold ending on September 1, marking a new era for Xbox gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

1. What is replacing Xbox Live Gold?: Xbox Live Gold is being replaced by Game Pass Core, which includes access to online console multiplayer and a collection of over 25 games to play on Xbox Series X and S and Xbox One.
2. Why was Xbox Live Gold discontinued?: Microsoft decided to discontinue Xbox Live Gold in favor of Game Pass Core, which is seen as an evolution of the Xbox Live Gold subscription.
3. What is Game Pass Core?: Game Pass Core is a new subscription plan that offers online console multiplayer and a collection of over 25 games to play on Xbox Series X and S and Xbox One for $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.

Xbox Live and Game Pass

4. Is Xbox Live still available?: Xbox Live is no longer available as a separate subscription, but its services have been merged with Game Pass Core.
5. Do I need Xbox Live to play games online?: With the introduction of Game Pass Core, you can play free-to-play games online without a subscription, but Game Pass Core is required for online console multiplayer.
6. Can I still buy Xbox Live Gold?: No, Xbox Live Gold is no longer available for purchase, and Game Pass Core is the new subscription plan offered by Microsoft.

Xbox Console and Hardware

7. Is Microsoft getting rid of Xbox One?: Yes, Microsoft discontinued manufacturing all Xbox One consoles at the end of 2020 to focus on its new generation of consoles.
8. Will there be a new Xbox console?: According to internal chat logs, Microsoft executives expect to launch the next Xbox console in 2028, and new versions of the current Xbox Series X and S consoles may be released in 2024.

Gaming and Online Multiplayer

9. Can I play Xbox games online for free?: Yes, all Xbox players can access online multiplayer for free-to-play games on their console at no charge.
10. Do I need Game Pass Core to play online?: Game Pass Core is required for online console multiplayer, but you can play free-to-play games online without a subscription.
11. How can I get Xbox Game Pass for free?: You can earn points through Microsoft Rewards, a loyalty program that rewards people for using Microsoft products, and redeem them for a free month of Xbox Game Pass.

Account and Subscription Management

12. Why was my Xbox Live subscription cancelled?: If you haven’t used your Xbox Live subscription in 24 months, Microsoft may turn off recurring billing, and your subscription will terminate after the current term expires.
13. Why can’t I buy Xbox Live Gold?: If you’re having issues buying an Xbox subscription, you may already have a suspended subscription or an overdue balance on another subscription.
14. Can I watch my friend play Xbox?: Yes, Microsoft has added a new feature to its Xbox Game Bar that lets you stream your gameplay to friends over Microsoft Teams.

Xbox Ecosystem and Future

15. Is there a future for Xbox?: Yes, Microsoft executives expect to launch the next Xbox console in 2028, and the company is considering a more flexible approach to its gaming hardware, indicating a commitment to the Xbox ecosystem.