I understand that, and I agree. I just don’t think Xbox is willing to give up over a billion dollars of revenue a year from the current Gold subscribers. It sucks, but from a business perspective I get it.
Once you accept that reality then it isn’t surprising we end up with the something like the new pricing structure.
I dunno, I can see an argument that this is a half measure intended to be part of a longer-term plan to convert Xbox Live only users into Game Pass customers.
Convert their live plan into a Game Pass plan, eventually phase out the paid MP, convert the core and console subs into the same subs. The boiling frog tactic.
Not really saying I believe it is what is happening, but i can certainly see it as a way to not hemorrhage subscribers as you make larger changes.
I think that’s a possibility as well. No idea what the timetable is though. Could take years.
Including it in gamepass is throwing money away too though.
They currently have people who sub to XBL Gold, who sub to gamepass - paying 9.99 and 10.99 per month. But neither get the other subs benefits.
Then you have people on GPU at what, 16.99 a month who get the benefits of both.
You need a tiering system that means when you switch over nobody has to switch tiers compared to where they were for access - but also that doesn’t lose you any revenue. So prices can’t drop. You also need to build in that GPU has an effective discount on the other two combined so that people end up there if they want investment in both GP and online…
1-2 years IMO. Once they report Game Pass subscriber numbers we will have a good idea of how many are unconverted. The motive is to change peoples value of Gold. Change it from valuing online to valuing the game library. You do that for the majority, the revenue for online play becomes less relevant and you can ditch it.
That’s true, but the old sub at least gave you an option to sub to xbox live gold for online play. I still feel they need to figure out how to get some sort of online play with console sub.
I think they should have kept the Gold Live name for the subscription tier name but change the Games with Gold feature to be called “GamePass Core Collection”.
Its a smaller step done yet still getting that GamePass name and brand out there.
There probably will be a way to upgrade to Ultimate if anyone wants online play too, I don’t see how it will work otherwise.
The legend of Microsoft and naming things continues.
Gold’s only use has been playing multilayer for years since the GwG offerings have been terrible for a very long time
This new thing certainly isn’t perfect and I would have much preferred them to scrap paying online completely but clearly that isn’t on the cards, they simply make too much money from it
but it’s much better than what Gold currently offers at least, Core offering online and console not seems odd at first glance but then you realise Console has the full GP offering and if people want both, which they most likely will it forces them to get Ultimate instead
Well this ain’t it. This is not the solution. PC gamers get free online play, more games and EA Access and now they make it all really obvious to everyone.
Grounded, ESO and FO76 on GP Core is really good, but missing Sea of Thieves is strange.
“Game Pass Core is the evolution of Xbox Live Gold. Game Pass Core will give players access to our advanced multiplayer network, a select collection of over 25 games to play with friends around the world, and exclusive member deals, all for $9.99 USD per month or $59.99 USD per year.”
There is a yearly sub option confirmed for the same cost as Gold so it’s fine IMO.
Yeah the lack of SoT is weird indeed but the current collection of games is awesome, some amazing games in there.
$60 a year for this, especially if the list continues to grow is a very good price
The 2nd best deal in gaming one might say
I agree. My other complain is about Ori. Would be better to put the prequel in GP Core.