"For over two decades, Microsoft has been charging Xbox owners anywhere from $4 to $10 a month for access to online multiplayer. The full suite of features was bundled as Xbox Live Gold and has since morphed into being part of Game Pass. The company is now reportedly exploring doing away with that fee for its next-gen console, bringing it more in-line with PC gaming where the perk is provided by companies for free."
"According to a new report by Windows Central, the "current plan" is for the next Xbox to have no paywall for multiplayer. The outlet adds that "it remains to be seen if that plan actually plays out into reality," but it sounds like there is at least serious consideration within Microsoft for abandoning the last remnants of its Xbox Live legacy with the arrival of the new system or systems which are currently rumored to be releasing near the end of 2027."
"It's unclear how many of Game Pass' millions of subscribers are currently enrolled simply to play with friends online, but that benefit alone is responsible for a huge portion of the cost of the most expensive tier of the program. While Game Pass Ultimate for console users was recently raised to $30, the service is still just $16.50 on PC where Sea of Thieves and other live-service hits can all be played online for free."
Microsoft has charged Xbox owners $4–$10 monthly for online multiplayer for over two decades, originally via Xbox Live Gold and later folded into Game Pass. The current plan is for the next Xbox to have no multiplayer paywall, aligning console multiplayer with free PC online perks, though implementation remains uncertain and systems are rumored near the end of 2027. Removing the fee would reverse a long-standing multiplayer tax that subsidized access to premium annual titles. Game Pass pricing disparities — $30 for console Ultimate versus $16.50 on PC — highlight how multiplayer access drives subscription value and would require significant pricing overhaul.
Read at Kotaku
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