Free-to-play games are one step closer to not needing Xbox Live Gold
Free actually means free for Xbox Beta Insiders, and that will hopefully be the case soon for everyone.
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What you need to know
Microsoft appears to be working through its testing for free-to-play games not requiring a subscription rather quickly. Just last week,Microsoft started testingthe ability to play free-to-play multiplayer games without an Xbox Live Gold subscription with Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead Insiders. Now, the same ability is available for Xbox Beta Insiders.
Without the requirement of an Xbox Live Gold subscription, Xbox Beta Insiders can now play multiplayer free-to-play games and look for Groups and Party Chats.
The Xbox Insider Twitter account announced the news:
Attention Beta#XboxInsiders! Today we’re enabling Multiplayer in Free-to-play games, Looking for Groups and Party Chat on Xbox no longer requiring an Xbox Live Gold membership as we flight and test these service changes ahead of general availability.Attention Beta#XboxInsiders! Today we’re enabling Multiplayer in Free-to-play games, Looking for Groups and Party Chat on Xbox no longer requiring an Xbox Live Gold membership as we flight and test these service changes ahead of general availability.— Xbox Insider (@xboxinsider)March 29, 2021March 29, 2021
Microsoft first announcedthat Xbox Live Gold wouldn’t be required for free-to-play multiplayer games back in January. At the time, Microsoft explained that the change would come “as soon as possible in the coming months.”
Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold in one
Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over 200 games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package so you can play online with your friends. You also get access to EA Play.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
