Xbox Live Gold has undergone many changes over the years. And, starting September 14, 2023, Xbox Live Gold is evolving and will become Xbox Game Pass Core. This revamping will give you access to online multiplayer, a collection of more than 25 games and exclusive member deals.
Let’s take a look at Xbox Game Pass Core and learn everything you need to know about it.
What happens to my current Xbox Live Gold subscription?
Xbox Live Gold members will automatically be switched over to Xbox Game Pass Core on September 14, 2023. This is an automated process and there is nothing that you will have to do.
Additionally, there is no change in pricing from your current Xbox Live Gold subscription.
What is Xbox Game Pass Core?
Xbox Live Gold has been around for more than 20 years and has provided Xbox gamers with state of the art online gaming for some of the world’s biggest online multiplayer games. And, in 2017, Xbox introduced Xbox Game Pass which provided gamers with a curated library of games from first party and third party game studios.
Now, on September 14, 2023, Xbox is combining Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass into Xbox Game Pass Core.
What happens to the games I claimed as part of Games with Gold?
Games with Gold, the monthly free games offered to Xbox Live Gold members will end on September 1, 2023. Any of the Xbox One games that you have previously redeemed as part of Games with Gold will remain in your library and accessible as long as you have an active Xbox Game Pass Core of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Furthermore, any Xbox 360 games that you previously redeemed through Games with Gold regardless of your subscription status will be kept in your library and available to play.
What are some of the games included with an Xbox Game Pass Core subscription?
Xbox Game Pass Core will launch with more than 25 games from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda and third party publishers. There will be a wide variety of games included to ensure that there is something for everyone to play on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Below is a list of titles that will be included at launch, with more to be announced before September 14, 2023.
- 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
New games will be added to the collection approximately 2-3 times a year.
What are the Xbox Game Pass key benefits for each tier?
In addition to Xbox Game Pass Core, there are three additional Xbox Game Pass tiers: Console, PC and Ultimate. I’ve broken down the key benefits that each tier offers in a chart below to allow you to choose the Xbox Game Pass plan that is right for you.
| Core | Console | PC | Ultimate |
| Online console multiplayer | Hundreds of high-quality games on console | Hundreds of high-quality games on PC | Hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC and cloud |
| Catalogue of more than 25 high-quality games on console | New games on day one | New games on day one | New games on day one |
| Member deals and discounts | Member deals and discounts | Member deals and discounts | Member deals, discounts and perks |
| EA Play membership | Online console multiplayer | ||
| EA Play membership |
How do I purchase an Xbox Game Pass subscription at Best Buy?
Currently, You can purchase an Xbox Live Gold membership at Best Buy, which will then automatically convert to an Xbox Game Pass Core membership on September 14, 2023. Additionally, you can purchase an Xbox Game Pass Console or Xbox Game Pass Console membership from Best Buy.
Purchase a Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month or 1-month membership
Purchase a Xbox Game Pass Console 6-month or 3-month membership
Buy a Xbox Game Pass PC 3-month membership
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