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Windows Central
Windows Central
Technology
Miles Dompier

Xbox Game Pass Core makes the 'console tax' more obvious than ever

Small child holding an Xbox Series S

Engaged Xbox fans have criticized Xbox Live and the monthly Games with Gold offerings for years. Compared to the impressive catalog included with Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Live felt like an outdated relic that actively countered Microsoft’s unifying ‘play anywhere’ approach. However, in a bittersweet announcement earlier today, the company officially announced that Xbox Live and Games with Gold will be permanently retired in September and replaced by Xbox Game Pass Core.  

Microsoft has stressed that current Xbox Live Gold members won’t need to take any additional action or worry about Xbox removing their game libraries and online multiplayer access. Fundamentally, not much is changing for console players subscribed to the $9.99/monthly subscription service. Unfortunately, the introduction of Xbox Game Pass Core in relation to PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Console has further accented the arbitrary tax imposed on console players.   

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