The switch will happen starting in September.

Xbox just announced that they are phasing out the entire Xbox Live Gold branding. Starting September 14th, Xbox Live Gold will be replaced by Xbox Game Pass Core. This move will add a selection of Game Pass titles for subscribers to play through.

Xbox Game Pass Core will cost the same as Xbox Live Gold. That is, it will be $9.99 (USD) per month or $59.99 for an entire year. Game Pass Core will still grant you access to online multiplayer functionality, just as Xbox Live Gold did. Really, it seems like the only change here, outside of the name, is the fact that instead of getting a few monthly games, you'll have access to a larger library of titles. There will also be special deals and discounts for Game Pass Core subscribers.


Let's be real here, the free games coming each month from Xbox Live Gold have largely been super not great for a while now. An initial and incomplete list of games coming with Game Pass Core is already leagues better than the stuff you were getting monthly. The list below is not complete as Microsoft says more titles will be shared closer to the September 14th launch.

The timeline for this change to take place is as follows: On September 1, Games with Gold comes to an end. On September 14, Xbox Live Gold members will automatically become Game Pass Core members. It's not clear what will happen if you happen to run out of Xbox Live Gold and need to renew in that span of time between September 1 and September 14.

You will be continue to have access to any Xbox One games that were redeemed previously via Games with Gold if you remain a Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate member. Regardless of your subscription status, any Xbox 360 games that were redeemed via Games with Gold in the past will be kept in your library.

Microsoft also says that new titles will be added to the list at a rate of "2-3 times a year."