Xbox Game Pass Core is the new Xbox Live Gold

Xbox Live Gold, a long-time staple service for Xbox members, is being replaced with a newer plan tier called Xbox Game Pass Core. For 20+ years, Xbox Live Gold has been a necessity on Xbox consoles if you wanted access to online multiplayer. In addition, it gave subscribers perks like discounts on games, and at least two free games a month to claim and add to their library.

All of that was available for $9.99 a month. Most of that is sticking around, and Microsoft is adding something to the plan. A game catalog. Those familiar with the other Game Pass plans know the value of the service due to the access to the game catalog. Which contains tons of high-quality games players can download straight to their console or PC.

Now Xbox Live Gold members will get a similar deal. All without paying any more than they already do, as Game Pass Core will stick to the $9.99 monthly fee. The new plan won’t be entirely the same as Game Pass for PC though. Which also costs $9.99 a month. The main difference being how many games are in the catalog.

Xbox Game Pass Core will come with over 25 games

The main change, aside from the name, is the inclusion of a free game catalog. Of which Microsoft says will include more than 25 games subscribers can download to their console. The company also says there will be two to three new games added per year. So the catalog will slowly grow.

To start, the Core plan will include a number of big AAA titles like DOOM Eternal, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Forza Horizon 4, and Gears 5. It’ll also include some indies like Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Inside, Among Us and more. This is a much smaller catalog compared to Game Pass Console, PC, and Ultimate. But for those that want both the Core perks and a larger catalog, the Ultimate plan is the way to go.

Microsoft says Game Pass Core will arrive on September 14. However, Games with Gold, the part of Xbox Live Gold that gave subscribers two free games every month, is going away on September 1. That being said, Xbox One games claimed through Games with Gold will stay in your library as long as the Core or Ultimate subscription remains active.

Xbox 360 games will remain available even if the subscription is cancelled. Basically, starting September 1 there won’t be any new Games with Gold additions. But previously redeemed ones won’t be taken away.