Xbox Game Pass Core confirmed as Xbox Live Gold replacement

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Xbox Game Pass Core is offering 25 titles at launch, with more following

Xbox Game Pass Core
(Image credit: Xbox)

Update: Microsoft has confirmed Xbox Game Pass Core to be taking over from Xbox Live Gold starting on September 14.

Xbox Game Pass Core will automatically switch over existing Xbox Live Gold subscribers, but for anyone new, you'll either need to shell out $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year. There'll be 25 Xbox Game Pass titles offered through the service, as was originally leaked below, but there'll be more games announced later this year, with more titles being added two-to-three times a year.

Original: Microsoft is reportedly scrapping Xbox Live Gold and replacing it with a new service later this year.

It's been 21 years since Microsoft launched Xbox Live Gold, but according to Windows Central, it's coming to an end, and a new Game Pass subscription dubbed Xbox Game Pass Core is taking its place. The story has since been removed, but not before it was spotted by a Koren site that posted images and details of the supposed Xbox Live Gold successor.

If this is to be believed, on September 1, all current Xbox Live Gold subscribers will become Xbox Game Pass Core subscribers. It will cost the same ($9.99 per month), and, like with Gold, you'll need a Core subscription to play online multiplayer. Additionally, Core members will get access to the special deals and discounts available to current Game Pass subscribers.

The key difference between the two is rather than offer monthly games that you can add to your library for free, Xbox Game Pass Core gives you access to a collection of over 25 Game Pass titles. These are 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 and the Will of the Wisps, Psychonauts 2, State of Decay 2, and The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited. 

Microsoft will apparently be adding to the above list in the coming months. This also means that Games with Gold will be no more come September, though the games you've claimed so far will still be playable on your account. 

We've yet to have official word from Microsoft on the matter, so, as ever, it's best to take all this with a pinch of salt until we do. 

Last month, the company announced that Xbox Series X and Game Pass are both getting price hikes. The console is going up in price outside of the US, while the subscription service is getting more expensive across the globe.

Looking to save on Game Pass? Check out our guide to the best Xbox Game Pass deals.

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Anne-Marie Ostler
Anne-Marie Ostler
Freelance Writer

Originally from Ireland, I moved to the UK in 2014 to pursue a Games Journalism and PR degree at Staffordshire University. Following that, I've freelanced for GamesMaster, Games TM, Official PlayStation Magazine and, more recently, Play and GamesRadar+. My love of gaming sprang from successfully defeating that first Goomba in Super Mario Bros on the NES. These days, PlayStation is my jam. When not gaming or writing, I can usually be found scouring the internet for anything Tomb Raider related to add to my out of control memorabilia collection.

With contributions from