Breaking News: Xbox Live Gold Rumored to Receive a Spectacular Rebranding!

Microsoft's long-standing gaming subscription service, Xbox Live Gold, is rumored to be undergoing a significant rebranding and some notable changes. Speculations suggest that Xbox Live Gold may be bidding farewell as Microsoft considers a fresh new identity for the service. This potential transformation has sparked nostalgic sentiments among gamers, as Xbox Live Gold has been an integral part of the gaming community since the Xbox 360 era, often regarded as the golden age of gaming alongside the PS3 and Nintendo Wii.

The roots of Xbox Live trace back even further, all the way to November 2002, with the original Xbox. In 2021, Microsoft rebranded it as "Xbox network," which received mixed reactions from gamers. Xbox Live introduced features such as friends lists, Gamertags as universal identifiers, voice chat capabilities, and the ability to download digital content like DLC through broadband internet connections. Xbox Live Gold, the subscription segment of the service, grants players access to online multiplayer and offers free monthly Games With Gold titles.

Rumors now suggest that Xbox Live Gold's iconic name may be vanishing, similar to the rebranding of "Xbox Live" a few years ago. While the core service will remain intact (though the availability of free monthly games may change), the pricing is expected to stay the same. However, to align with the Game Pass terminology, starting from September 1, 2023, Xbox Live Gold will purportedly be rebranded as Game Pass Core. It will represent the entry-level tier of the Game Pass subscription, alongside Console, PC, and Ultimate tiers.

The source of this rumor originates from Xbox Info Cafe, a Korean gaming website that shared an image of the new naming scheme allegedly sourced from the Xbox website. According to their report, existing Xbox Live Gold memberships will be converted to Game Pass Core, and previously acquired Games With Gold titles will remain accessible to users. Game Pass Core is said to provide a library of 25 console games, including popular titles like Fallout 4, Dishonored 2 and DOOM Eternal. Notably, the absence of mention regarding Xbox Live Gold's monthly free games raises the possibility that Microsoft may discontinue this particular perk from the subscription.

The potential rebranding of Xbox Live Gold as Game Pass Core may also explain the recent absence of Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate options from the Microsoft Rewards program. For years, gamers could utilize accumulated points to obtain Xbox Live Gold and later Game Pass subscriptions for free. However, certain options have recently vanished from the rewards list. It is plausible that this temporary removal aligns with the price increase of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and the subsequent adjustment of points required to unlock the reward.

As gamers eagerly await official confirmation, these rumors signal a significant evolution for Xbox Live Gold, potentially aligning it more closely with the Game Pass family. The prospective changes aim to reshape the Xbox gaming experience and offer an exciting new era for Microsoft's gaming subscription services.