Xbox Live is dead. Long live Xbox Game Pass Core. 20 years after the launch of Microsoft Gaming's flagship online service, the platform holder is making some sweeping changes to the branding of the core Xbox ecosystem. Game Pass Core is being referred to as "the evolution of Xbox Live Gold" rather than an outright replacement, with this new service offering access to the multiplayer network and a curated collection of some of the best Xbox Series X games.
As part of the change, Microsoft is retiring the Games with Gold service, although the introduction of a more curated collection of titles should be a positive one in the long run. Given how established Xbox Live Gold is, there's quite a bit to wrap your head around, so below we're going to run through everything you need to know about Xbox Game Pass Core – including price, benefits, release date, and the list of confirmed games you'll be able to access.
