Microsoft gets rid of Xbox Live Gold requirement for free-to-play online multiplayer

If you play online multiplayer on free-to-play games on the Xbox, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold subscription. Microsoft announced that over 50 free-to-play games will be accessible to you without needing that membership. These include titles like Apex Legends, Roblox, Fortnite, Star Trek Online, and more. You can check out the rest of the games here.

According to IGN, Microsoft plans to add more games as "more free-to-play games launch." In January, Microsoft tried to increase the price of Xbox Live Gold, which the company reversed after fans voiced their objection. Because of that backlash, the company said it would make free-to-play games available without Xbox Live Gold. And so, that time has come for this free experience.

Microsoft no longer offers 12-month Xbox Live Gold plans

Microsoft has confirmed that it's stopped offering the 12-month Xbox Live Gold plans to its users. But the 1- and 3-month plans are still available. The company didn't explain why it decided to stop selling the annual plan. Speculation is that Microsoft might want to focus on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, or it might want to introduce a new service when the Xbox Series X launches. The news comes as Microsoft ceased production of the Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital. The company's Xbox chief Phil Spencer also recently confirmed that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate would bundle in Project xCloud game streaming service, which means these subscribers don't need to spend extra on xCloud when it launches in September.

Source: TrueAchievements

These are the free Xbox One and Xbox 360 games coming for Xbox Live Gold subscribers in December

If you’re waiting on what free games are going to be available for Xbox Live Gold subscribers next month, here are the four games you can get. Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide, which will be available for the whole month of December; Child of Eden, which will be available from December 1 to 15; Marlow Briggs and the Mask of Death, which will be available from December 16 to 31; and Back to the Future: The Game, which will be available from December 16 to January 15. Picking up all the games will save you U$104+ and earn you 3,840 in gamescore. These titles work for both the Xbox 360 and Xbox One. So, if you’re looking for new games to check out, these might be worth taking a look at.

Source: BGR