November is approaching very quickly, bringing with it the launch of the next console generation. Among all of the expected new graphical and processing power coming with Xbox Series X/S, another subtly anticipated change will the offerings ofXbox Live Gold. Obviously with Game Pass becoming yet another pillar-like service for the Xbox ecosystem, it’s possible that Xbox Live Gold’s current framework could make some changes. One particular change that’s bound to occur is Xbox’s Games with Gold, and how it relates to Xbox Live and Game Pass.
Games with Gold Has a Serious Redundancy Problem
Just looking at the selection of Games with Gold in the last six months, for all platforms (Xbox 360, Xbox One, Original Xbox), the selection has been progressively dipping into more obscure games. The thing is, becauseXbox Game Pass has become the premier offering for “free” gamesfrom Xbox, many of the titles offered on Games with Gold cannot already be on Game Pass. If Games with Gold included any titles that are already on Xbox Game Pass, then Microsoft is indirectly competing with itself, even if it doesn’t make a discernible difference in revenue. This is where Games with Gold’s new redundancy problem lies, now that Game Pass is as large as it has become.
Xbox Game Pass and Games with Gold Are Very Similar
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate already merges the two services (Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass) anyway, and considering that’s the best deal between all of Xbox’s online services,Games with Gold really becomes irrelevant in that context. Both offer free games to download and play; one service offers games that are tied to accounts permanently, and one service offers games that largely rotate in and out of a rotation. Granted, Xbox Game Pass' rotation is not as fickle as its competitor services like PlayStation Now, which changes its lineup every month. It’s also worth noting that first-party exclusives come to Game Pass on release day, something that’s never happened on Games with Gold.
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Games with Gold May Change for Xbox’s Next Generation
Either that, or Xbox could phase out the Games with Gold program entirely, encouraging players to hop on to Xbox Game Pass instead. Again, the redundancy problem makes the purpose of Games with Gold irrelevant, especially when Game Pass is the premier offering of games. Existing and new games are coming to the Game Pass service in droves, especially high profile additions likeRed Dead Redemption 2,Tomb Raider,Yakuza, and more. At the end of the day, Xbox may just stick to Games with Gold and continue the program for Xbox Series X/S. If November’s games are anything like the titles offeredin the last six months of Games with Gold, then most fans may not care.
