Microsoft is reportedly set to discontinue Xbox Live Gold, which is currently required to play multiplayer Xbox games online.
That’s according to VentureBeat journalist Jeff Grubb, who made the claim on Friday after a since-deleted listing by retailer Smyths Toys claimedHalo Infinitewill feature a“groundbreaking free-to-play multiplayer experience”running at 120fps (Microsofthas since confirmed this to be true).
“Free-to-playHaloMP only makes sense ifXboxLive Gold barrier goes away at least for free games,” hesaid.
Asked whether he believes Microsoft will get rid of Xbox Live Gold completely or just remove the paywall from free-to-play games, Grubbreplied: “I think it’s going away entirely.”
Update 05/08/20
Last year Microsoft began bundling Xbox Live Gold with Xbox Game Pass in the form of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $14.99/£10.99 per month and will alsoinclude Project xCloud when it launches in September.
“Xbox Live Gold is going away and playing online multiplayer will be free,” Grubbfollowed up. “They will not force you into Ultimate to play online.”
Earlier this monthMicrosoft stopped selling 12-month Xbox Live Gold subscriptions, fuelling speculation that the long-running service could be repackaged or phased out to coincide with theXbox Series Xlaunch this holiday season.
While the platform holder is no longer offering an annual Xbox Live Gold membership option, one and three-month subscriptions are still available.
As well as access to multiplayer gaming, Xbox Live Gold offers members two to four free games every month and discounts of up to 50% onXbox Oneproducts on the Microsoft Store.
