Xbox Removes Gold Requirement for Free-to-Play Games
Free-to-play multiplayer games are now actually free to play on Xbox, as the platform has accelerated its plans to remove the Xbox Live Gold requirement.
Typically, any kind of online multiplayer on Xbox required a paid Xbox Live Gold membership, even if the game was free-to-play. Fortnite Battle Royale, for example, couldn't be played without a Gold membership.
Xbox announces that online multiplayer for free-to-play games is free starting todayhttps://t.co/uuKzarbDtF pic.twitter.com/BxZbeEu2bX
— Nibel (@Nibellion) April 21, 2021
Wednesday's change eliminates that barrier far ahead of Microsoft's planned schedule. The platform holder had previously planned to slowly roll the change out to Xbox Insiders in groups before, eventually, enacting it for all players. Microsoft said player feedback influenced its decision to accelerate the rollout.
The April 2021 system update will also unlock Looking for Group for players without Gold subscriptions, and party chat has already been made available for those without a subscription.
There are more than 50 free-to-play multiplayer games available on Xbox, including Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, Destiny 2 and Rocket League.