Microsoft taking final steps to end Xbox Live Gold requirement for free-to-play games

Source: Matt Brown | Windows Central

Microsoft is in the final stages of ending the requirement of having Xbox Live Gold to play free-to-play games on consoles like the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Last night, Microsoft started rolling out an update to Xbox Omega Insiders that removes the requirement for Xbox Live Gold.

We don’t have a confirmed date for when the requirement will end for non-Insiders, but it could be as soon as this month. Microsoft is quickly working through the Insider rings when it comes to ending the requirement. A similar update rolled out to Xbox Beta Insiders on March 30, 2021. Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead Insiders got the update on March 24, 2021.

Here’s Microsoft’s description of the latest Omega Ring Insider update:

New Features and Experiences

We have exciting news! Omega users can expect something new coming to their Xbox Update Preview.

• Multiplayer in Free-to-play games, Looking 4 Groups and Party Chat on Xbox no longer requires an Xbox Live Gold membership for Omega users as we flight and test these service changes ahead of general availability.

Subscriptions

• A subset of users can check out a new Subscription Management experience on the console. Check it out under Settings > Account > Subscriptions

Once the requirement ends for general users, people won’t have to have Xbox Live Gold to play free-to-play games or to look for Groups and Party Chats.

Some of the best Xbox games are free-to-play games. Once people don’t need Xbox Live Gold to play them, those excellent titles will become more accessible.

DYNAMIC DUO

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Have friends? Want to play games with them? Thankfully, you can with Xbox! The Xbox platform is a bright and cheerful place for those who have friends (as long as you avoid random comms on Call of Duty). In any case, these are our picks for best 2 player games for Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Series S.