Should I buy Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Ultimate?
To determine whether you should buy Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Ultimate, consider your gaming needs: if you primarily play online multiplayer games on your Xbox console, Xbox Live Gold might suffice, but if you’re looking for access to a vast library of games, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the better option, offering online multiplayer, a diverse catalog of games, and cloud gaming. Ultimately, Game Pass Ultimate provides more value, especially for those who play games on both PC and console, with its combined features and access to over 100 games.
Understanding Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass Ultimate are two distinct subscription services offered by Microsoft for Xbox users. Xbox Live Gold primarily focuses on online multiplayer gaming, offering members the ability to play games online with friends, along with free games every month through the Games with Gold program. On the other hand, Game Pass Ultimate is a more comprehensive service that includes all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold, plus access to a large and rotating catalog of games for both Xbox consoles and PC, cloud gaming, and exclusive discounts.
Key Differences and Benefits
The key differences between Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass Ultimate lie in their offerings. Xbox Live Gold is great for those who mainly engage in online multiplayer and are content with the free games provided. In contrast, Game Pass Ultimate is ideal for gamers who want access to a vast library of games, play on multiple platforms (Xbox, PC, and cloud), and enjoy exclusive members’ discounts. Considering the price point, Game Pass Ultimate seems to offer more value, especially for frequent gamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Game Pass Ultimate worth the money? Game Pass Ultimate is worth the investment for gamers who play regularly, enjoy trying out different titles, and utilize the online multiplayer and cloud gaming features. It offers a huge library of games and cross-platform play, making it a great value for the price.
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Can I convert Xbox Live Gold to Game Pass? Yes, you can convert your Xbox Live Gold subscription to Game Pass Ultimate. The conversion ratio is 3:2, meaning for every 3 months of Xbox Live Gold, you get 2 months of Game Pass Ultimate.
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Do you keep games forever with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate? No, games are only playable as long as you have an active Game Pass Ultimate subscription. However, you can purchase games at a discount to keep them forever.
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Is Xbox Live Gold going away? Xbox Live Gold has evolved into Xbox Game Pass Core, which maintains the same price point but shifts the focus towards online multiplayer and member discounts, removing the Games with Gold benefit.
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What is the difference between Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass? Xbox Live Gold focuses on online gaming and free monthly games, while Game Pass offers a large catalog of games to download and play, with Ultimate adding PC gaming, cloud gaming, and exclusive discounts.
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How to get Xbox Gold for free? You can earn Microsoft Points through Microsoft Rewards and redeem them for Xbox Live Gold subscriptions or take advantage of free trials and promotions.
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Is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate always $1? Initially, Game Pass Ultimate had a $1 trial period, but this offer has been discontinued and reinstated at various times. Currently, new subscribers can get their first 14 days for $1, then it’s $16.99/month.
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Can you pay for Game Pass Ultimate for a year? While the Microsoft Store only offers monthly recurring payments, you can purchase digital codes for Game Pass Ultimate from authorized retailers and stack them for up to 36 months.
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Do I lose my games if I cancel Xbox Game Pass Ultimate? Yes, you lose access to Game Pass games when your subscription ends, but you can purchase them at a discount to keep playing. Your game progress is stored in the cloud.
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What happens if you don’t pay for Game Pass? If a renewal charge fails, you’re locked out of online multiplayer for games that require a Gold subscription, but you can still play free-to-play games.
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Is Netflix free with Xbox Live Gold? Starting in June, Xbox owners can stream Netflix and Hulu Plus without needing an Xbox Live Gold membership.
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What’s the normal price for Game Pass Ultimate? After the $1 trial, Game Pass Ultimate costs $16.99/month.
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How to get Xbox Game Pass for free 2023? Utilize Microsoft Rewards to earn points redeemable for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. It’s a loyalty program that rewards using Microsoft products.
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Did Xbox remove $1 Game Pass? The $1 trial for Game Pass Ultimate has been discontinued and reinstated at various times, currently offering new subscribers a $1 trial for 14 days.
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Which Xbox subscription is best? For the best value, Game Pass Ultimate offers online multiplayer, a huge game catalog, cloud gaming, and PC gaming, making it the best choice for frequent and diverse gamers.