Microsoft is set to expand its gaming offerings with the introduction of Xbox Game Pass Core, scheduled to launch on September 14. This new subscription service represents the next phase of Xbox Live Gold, providing players with access to an advanced multiplayer network, a handpicked collection of over 25 games for global multiplayer experiences, and exclusive member deals. All this will be available for a monthly fee of $9.99 or an annual fee of $59.99.
The release announcement by Jerret West, CVP, Gaming Marketing reads:
“For over twenty years, Xbox players have been connecting via Xbox Live to compete, cooperate, and experience the world’s biggest online multiplayer games. In 2017, we introduced the Xbox Game Pass, which provided a curated library of games. Game Pass Core brings online play together with Game Pass in a new offering for gamers around the world. With this evolution, we’re saying farewell to Games with Gold. We wanted to use this opportunity to re-imagine how to include content with this subscription. We found that the answer to the most compelling catalog was to leverage select titles from our Xbox Game Pass catalog.”
The Games with Gold program will be retired as part of this transformation. Microsoft decided to incorporate titles from the Xbox Game Pass catalog. Game Pass Core will initially feature a collection of over 25 games from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and others. Microsoft shared a list of these titles that have been confirmed for release, with the reminder that additional announcements are expected before the launch on September 14. The company plans to expand the library two or three times yearly.
- Among Us
- Descenders
- Dishonored 2
- Doom Eternal
- Fable Anniversary
- Fallout 4
- Fallout 76
- Forza Horizon 4
- Gears 5
- Grounded
- Halo 5: Guardians
- Halo Wars 2
- Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
- Human Fall Flat
- Inside
- Ori & The Will of the Wisps
- Psychonauts 2
- State of Decay 2
- The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited
According to Xbox Wire website the transition to Game Pass Core will be seamless for Xbox Live Gold members. They’ll automatically become Game Pass Core subscribers, maintaining their current pricing while gaining immediate access to the expanded game library with member-exclusive deals, and discounts will also be included in Xbox Game Pass Core. But the Games with Gold program will conclude on September 1.
Players who have redeemed Xbox One games through Games with Gold will retain access to them as long as they maintain a Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate membership. Xbox 360 titles redeemed via Games with Gold in the past will remain in a player’s library, regardless of their subscription status.
