Microsoft ditches Xbox Live Gold requirement for free-to-play multiplayer from today
50+ games including Fortnite and COD: Warzone now actually free to play.
Microsoft has announced its previous promise to ditch Xbox Live Gold subscription requirements for free-to-play multiplayer titles on its consoles will come into effect today.
Previously, Microsoft was the only one of the big-three consoles makers still insisting a paid subscription was necessary in order to access online multiplayer features in free-to-play games.
Nintendo and Sony also charge players to participate in online multiplayer on their platforms - through their Nintendo Switch Online and PlayStation Plus subscription services respectively - but only for premium titles, with free-to-play offerings having remained exempt.
However, Microsoft announced it would be changing its stance on free-to-play multiplayer, bringing its policy inline with other consoles, back in January following a significant backlash against its decision to hike Xbox Live Gold prices during the pandemic - a move it rapidly reversed after a less-than-positive response from consumers.
"As part of listening to your feedback, this change will take place starting today," Microsoft wrote in a new blog post, "and all Xbox players will be able to access online multiplayer at no charge for a library of over 50 free-to-play games that support online multiplayer."
Those titles are a blend of big-hitters - including Apex Legend, Call of Duty: Warzone, Rocket League, Destiny 2, Fortnite, Roblox, and Warframe - mixed in with some lesser-known offerings, with the complete list available below. Microsoft says it will continue to update the list over on Xbox.com as new free-to-play titles launch.
- 3on3 FreeStyle
- Aegis Wing
- APB Reloaded
- Apex Legends
- Armored Warfare
- Battle Ages
- Battle Islands
- Battle Islands: Commanders
- Bless Unleashed
- Brawlhalla
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- Crackdown
- Crackdown 2
- Crimson Alliance
- Crossout
- CRSED: F.O.A.D.
- Darwin Project
- Dauntless
- DC Universe Online
- Dead or Alive 5 Last Round: Core Fighters
- Dead or Alive 6: Core Fighters
- Defiance 2050
- Destiny 2
- Doritos Crash Course
- Dungeon Defenders II
- Enlisted
- Eternal Card Game
- Family Game Night
- Fishing Planet
- Fortnite
- Galaxy Control: Arena
- Gems of War
- Happy Wars
- Harm's Way
- Hawken
- Hyper Scape
- Killer Instinct
- Korgan
- Minion Masters
- Neverwinter
- Outriders (Demo)
- Paladins
- Path of Exile
- Phantasy Star Online 2
- Phantom Dust
- Pinball FX2
- Prominence Poker
- Realm Royale
- Rec Room
- Resident Evil Revelations 2
- ROBLOX
- Rocket League
- Rogue Company
- Skyforge
- SMITE
- Spacelords
- Spellbreak
- Star Trek Online
- Techwars Global Conflict
- TERA
- The Four Kings Casino and Slots
- Too Human
- Trove
- Vigor
- War Thunder
- Warface
- Warframe
- World of Tanks
- World of Warships: Legends
- Yaris