Do you need both Xbox Live and Game Pass?
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You don’t necessarily need both Xbox Live and Game Pass as they serve different purposes, with Xbox Live focusing on online multiplayer and free games, while Game Pass offers a vast library of games to play. The choice between the two ultimately depends on your gaming needs, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate being the most comprehensive option, combining the benefits of both Xbox Live and Game Pass.
Understanding Xbox Live and Game Pass
To make an informed decision, it’s essential to understand what each service offers. Xbox Live, now known as Xbox Game Pass Core, allows for online multiplayer on Xbox and comes with access to 25 free games, including popular titles like Doom Eternal, Forza Horizon 5, and Fallout 76. On the other hand, Game Pass Console includes access to over 100 Xbox games to play but does not include online multiplayer on the console.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do you need Xbox Live and Xbox Game Pass?
No, you don’t need both, but having Xbox Game Pass Ultimate combines the benefits of both, including online multiplayer and access to a large library of games.
2. Can I get a Game Pass if I already have Xbox Live?
If you had an active Xbox Live Gold subscription, it was automatically converted to Xbox Game Pass Core on September 14, 2023, and any Xbox Live Gold codes you still have will also convert directly to Game Pass Core.
3. Do I need Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Live Gold?
Depending on the game, you’ll need a subscription to Xbox Live Gold (or Game Pass Ultimate) to engage in online play, except for free-to-play games like Fortnite or Fall Guys.
4. What is the difference between Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Pass?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers a wide variety of benefits, including access to hundreds of games on Xbox consoles and PC, Xbox Live Gold, and EA Play, while Xbox Live Gold allows for online multiplayer games and receives free monthly games and discounts.
5. How to get Xbox Live for free?
You can use Xbox Live Gold Free Trials, which are given to all new Xbox accounts when they first log in to an Xbox Series X or Xbox One console.
6. How to get Xbox Game Pass for free 2023?
You can use Microsoft Rewards, a loyalty program that rewards people for using Microsoft products, to earn points and get a free month of Xbox Game Pass.
7. How do I keep Game Pass games forever?
You can buy the games at a discount as an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, and once you’ve purchased them, they’re yours to keep.
8. Do you permanently own Game Pass games?
No, games you install using Xbox Game Pass remain playable only if you buy them, and you get a discount when you buy games as an Xbox Game Pass subscriber.
9. Do you lose your games if you cancel Xbox Game Pass?
If you cancel your Xbox Game Pass subscription, you’ll lose access to the games included in the subscription, but your saved progress and achievements will be saved.
10. Do you get Game Pass games permanently?
You only have access to the games while they’re available through the subscription and while you have a subscription.
11. Is Xbox Live gold going away?
Xbox Live Gold is being replaced by Xbox Game Pass Core, which includes online play and access to 25 free games.
12. How much is Xbox Live now?
Xbox Game Pass Core, the new service, costs $10 a month or $60 a year, the same price as Xbox Live Gold.
13. How much is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 2023?
A subscription to Game Pass Ultimate costs $17 a month for access to online multiplayer and a library of over 100 games.
14. What games are being removed from Xbox Game Pass 2023?
Several games are being removed from Xbox Game Pass in 2023, including Beacon Pines, Despot’s Game, and Weird West.
15. Is there an Xbox Ultimate Game Pass for a year?
While you can only subscribe to a monthly recurring payment from the Microsoft Store, you can purchase digital codes for Game Pass Ultimate from authorized retailers and stack them up to 36 months.