Revolutionary Rebranding on the Horizon: Xbox Live Gold Shakes Things Up!

Rumors suggest that Microsoft may be rebranding Xbox Live Gold by September 1, potentially bidding farewell to the subscription service that holds nostalgic value for many Microsoft fans. Xbox Live Gold has been a part of the gaming community since the era of Xbox 360, which is considered the golden age of gaming along with the PS3 and Nintendo Wii. Speculation about the discontinuation of Xbox Live Gold has been circulating for a while, and it seems that it may finally become a reality.

The term "Xbox Live" dates back even further, originating in November 2002 with the OG Xbox. In 2021, the service was rebranded as "Xbox network," much to the disappointment of numerous gamers. This rebranding introduced features like friends lists, a universal identifier called a Gamertag, voice chat capabilities, and the ability to download digital content such as DLC using a broadband internet connection. Xbox Live Gold, the subscription component of the service, is required for online multiplayer games and grants members access to free Games With Gold titles released each month.

Now there are rumors circulating that Xbox Live Gold might soon cease to exist, or at least its iconic name might disappear just like "Xbox Live" did a couple of years ago. The core service itself will remain intact (although the monthly free games may no longer be available) and the pricing will remain unchanged. However, to align its branding with Game Pass terminology, Xbox Live Gold is said to be rebranded as Game Pass Core starting from September 1, 2023. It will represent the lowest tier of the Game Pass subscription service, with the other tiers being Console, PC, and Ultimate.

The rumor originates from Xbox Info Cafe, a Korean gaming website, which shared an image of the new naming scheme allegedly taken from the Xbox website. According to the Cafe, existing Xbox Live Gold memberships will be converted to Game Pass Core, while games obtained through Games With Gold will still be available in the user's library. Additionally, Game Pass Core will include a selection of 25 console games, such as Fallout 4, Dishonored 2, and DOOM Eternal. Notably, the absence of Xbox Live Gold's free monthly games suggests that Microsoft may be discontinuing this benefit from the subscription.

The potential rebranding of Xbox Live Gold to Game Pass Core could explain the recent removal of Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate from the rewards options in Microsoft Rewards. For years, gamers have been able to use their accumulated points to obtain Xbox Live Gold and later Game Pass subscriptions for free. However, some options have recently been taken off the rewards list. This disappearance could be attributed to the recent price increase of Game Pass Ultimate and the subsequent adjustment of the points required to unlock the reward, which may be a temporary situation.

Source: Xbox Info Cafe (via VGChartz)