The Xbox Games with Gold programme, a long-standing perk for Xbox Live Gold subscribers, is concluding. This service, which provided monthly free games to members, will officially end on 1st September 2023. The change is part of a broader shift in Microsoft's subscription model, with Xbox Live Gold being replaced by a new service called Xbox Game Pass Core. This transition marks the end of a specific type of freebie for Xbox console owners, focusing instead on a curated library of games available through the new subscription tier. The final free games available through the Games with Gold scheme are Blue Fire and Inertial Drift, which were offered throughout August 2023.
The discontinuation of Games with Gold is directly linked to the retirement of the Xbox Live Gold subscription service itself. Microsoft has announced that Xbox Live Gold will be sunsetted, and from 14th September 2023, all current Xbox Live Gold members will be automatically transitioned to the new Xbox Game Pass Core subscription. This new offering is designed to combine online multiplayer access with a selection of games, reimagining how content is included with a subscription. The new service is priced at £9.99 per month or £59.99 per year for UK consumers, providing access to online multiplayer on Xbox platforms and a catalogue of over 25 games.
The final free games offered under the Games with Gold programme were Blue Fire and Inertial Drift, available for download between 1st and 31st August 2023. Blue Fire is described as a 3D platformer with a unique art style, reminiscent of Zelda, and was first released in 2021. Inertial Drift is an indie racing game featuring a twin-stick arcade drifting mechanic and a vibrant aesthetic. Both games typically retail for approximately £19.99 (or $19.99 in the US), providing a combined value of around £39.99 for subscribers. While both titles have been received as decent and well-liked by player reviews, the announcement of these as the final offerings has been met with disappointment from the Xbox community. Some criticism has centred on the service ending "not with a bang, but with a whisper," with expectations for a more substantial final lineup including a mix of indie, older AAA, and first-party titles.
Upon the transition to Xbox Game Pass Core on 14th September 2023, previous Games with Gold titles will not be lost. Microsoft has confirmed that any Xbox 360 games that were redeemed through the Games with Gold programme in the past will be retained in players' libraries, provided they maintain an active Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate membership. For members with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, there will be no change to their plan, and they will continue to receive all benefits, including online multiplayer and access to the full Game Pass library.
The launch lineup for Xbox Game Pass Core, as announced, includes a selection of over 25 games. The initial confirmed titles for the UK market are listed below. Microsoft has stated that more games will be added to this curated collection every two to three months.
- 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
The shift from Games with Gold to the Game Pass Core library represents a significant change in the value proposition for Xbox online subscription services. While Games with Gold provided a rotating selection of two to four free games per month, Game Pass Core offers a static, curated library that members can access at any time. This library includes both first-party and third-party titles, providing a different kind of gaming benefit. The service also includes "member deals and discounts," though specific details on these offers were not elaborated upon in the source material.
It is important to note that the concept of free games on Xbox extends beyond subscription services. The sources indicate that a large selection of free-to-play games are available to all Xbox players, who can access online multiplayer for these specific titles at no charge. This means that even without a Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate subscription, players can still engage in online play for games that are free to download and play.
Regarding the acquisition of subscription services, the sources mention that third-party platforms like CDKeys are considered legitimate for purchasing Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass codes. This provides an alternative method for consumers to acquire these subscriptions, often at different price points than direct from Microsoft.
In summary, the Games with Gold programme has concluded its run with the August 2023 offerings of Blue Fire and Inertial Drift. The service is being replaced by Xbox Game Pass Core, which will provide online multiplayer access and a library of over 25 games for a monthly or annual fee. Existing subscribers will be automatically migrated, and previously redeemed Xbox 360 games will remain accessible. The new model focuses on a consistent game library rather than monthly free game giveaways, marking a notable evolution in Microsoft's subscription strategy for UK Xbox console owners.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the Xbox Games with Gold programme signifies a definitive end to one of the primary free game offerings for Xbox Live Gold subscribers. The final titles, Blue Fire and Inertial Drift, were made available in August 2023. From 14th September 2023, Xbox Live Gold is being replaced by Xbox Game Pass Core, a new subscription that bundles online multiplayer with a curated library of over 25 games. This transition ensures that previously redeemed Games with Gold titles remain in user libraries, and current members are automatically moved to the new service. While the free monthly game model has ended, access to free-to-play titles and a new game library through Game Pass Core presents a different value proposition for UK Xbox gamers.
Sources
- Games Learning Society - Is Games with Gold being discontinued?
- ComicBook.com - Xbox Live Gold's Games with Gold Freebies Are Ending Forever With August 2023's Final Lineup
- Windows Central - As Xbox Games with Gold comes to an end, these are your final free games
- Polygon - Xbox Live Gold is ending, replaced by Game Pass Core