Lately there’s been a few rumors regarding the current framework ofXbox Live, and how that could change in the near future. With the release of Xbox Series X on the horizon, it’s very possible Microsoft could be planning a huge overhaul for the online service that’s existed since the original Xbox console. Now with the innovation of Game Pass and xCloud, it’s very possible Microsoft is merging and integrating both Xbox Live and Game Pass services by default for all future subscriptions.
While there haven’t been any exact numbers detailed or provided, Game Pass has largely been a success for Microsoft. It would make a lot of sense for Xbox to double down on that success by integrating it with a service most Xbox users already pay for. In the past there’s been bundles like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate which includes both services together as one unified subscription. These recent changes and rumors about Microsoft likely meanXbox Livewill eventually merge inherently with Game Pass for the future of the service, and for good reason.
The Rise of Game Pass
Xbox in the years leading up to 2020 has made several good faith changes in response to PS4’s domineering success. While Microsoft’s console has been vastly outsold by the PS4thanks to the Xbox One’s initial identity crisis, Xbox fans have slowly gotten a much better console and expanded online service to stand with it. Specifically with Game Pass, an innovative Netflix subscription-style model for playing games on demand, that’s one of the offerings from the Xbox ecosystem that still trumps Sony to this day. PlayStation Now pales in comparison to what Game Pass is capable of, both in cost for consumers and the selection of games available on the service.
That’s not to mention many of the other positive changes made by the Xbox brand alongside Game Pass. Xbox’s Play Anywhere initiative extended many of the exclusive Xbox titles to players on PC too. Along with that,Xbox has launched its game streaming xCloud servicein direct competition with Google’s Stadia. Not only does xCloud give more flexibility in game choice and device usage, but it’s also going to be bundled in with Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions this September. Microsoft is taking a more ecosystem-based approach with its services, which is important context considering what’s been changing with Xbox Live recently.
A Potential Xbox Live Overhaul
With all of these major new additions and changes to Xbox’s online services and features, there’s a very real possibility that Xbox Live is getting some kind of overhaul in the near future. Xbox Live has been around for about 18 years, so perhaps Microsoft has an idea on how to iterate off the foundation they’ve consistently built upon. Changes are likely to come, but fans shouldn’t expect a brand new service with completely new functionality or capabilities. More than likely Xbox is looking at how to improve the serviceas Microsoft prepares to launch the next Xbox console.
More realistically these changes are likely in service to just bundling the services together. ConsideringxCloud is merging with the Game Pass Ultimate subscription for Xbox Live, more than likely Game Pass and Xbox Live are likely going to join as one full service rather than two separate subscriptions. At the moment, Xbox Live is typically sold at $9.99/month, $24.99/3 months, or $60/year. For Xbox Game Pass (not including PC, which is sold at a separate limited time price), the subscription is currently also $9.99/month. Then there’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which bundles Xbox Live and Game Pass together for one monthly price of $14.99/month. That means currently Xbox Live and Game Pass are sold separately, but that could change in the future.
Consolidating Xbox Services Makes Sense
In the end this just makes a lot of sense, and follows along with Microsoft and Xbox’s latest track record of taking a consumer-friendly approach to gaming fans. Presumably for Xbox fans, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription seems like a no-brainer for any gaming fan to get the most out of their money.Removing the year subscription option of Xbox Liveseems to be a reflection of that, even though there’s likely a vocal section of Xbox players who wish this was still an option. Even still, bundling Xbox Live and Game Pass together has likely been such a popular option that Microsoft is running with it as the main subscription option for Xbox Series X.
On the other hand, if this truly meansa major overhaul is in store for Xbox Live, prices/rates for subscriptions are likely going to change to match the new service. It’s a stark contrast from what Microsoft has done in the past, since Xbox Live accounts and subscriptions persisted between Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Accounts will obviously carry over, but subscription prices and even the features included in the service could shift entirely depending on the level/tier of the subscription. Again, this doesn’t seem likely as Xbox is likely just consolidating all of the services of Live and Game Pass together into one. Either way, there’s nothing inherently bad for fans here if Xbox Live is changing for the better in both scenarios.
MORE:5 Killer Exclusives That Can Make Microsoft’s Xbox Series X Event Huge
