For several years, Xbox Live has been the premier video game subscription service for Xbox players. Not only did it offer access to online multiplayer games, which has since been removed for free-to-play titles, but it also gives subscribers the benefit of unique discounts and access to a monthly roster of free games via Xbox Free Games with Gold.
However, with the advent of the Xbox Game Pass, it appears that the benefits players get from Xbox Free Games with Gold have since deteriorated. While Microsoft is stern on the fact that Xbox Live isn't going anywhere, many are now questioning its value given that the free games are no longer as exciting as they once were, and comparing 2020's roster with 2021 so far proves that Microsoft may only be keeping the service for the sake of it.
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Although the latter part of 2020 started the downward trend of the quality of free Xbox Games with Gold, the first half of the year saw the release of popular games. For Xbox 360, this includes Tekken 6, LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, Fable Heroes, Star Wars Battlefront, and Sonic Generations. On the other hand, Xbox One titles include Styx: Shards of Darkness, Batman: The Telltale Series, Call of Cthulhu, Project CARS 2, and many others.
In comparison, the roster of free Games with Gold Microsoft has released so far in 2021 aren't even in the same caliber as the titles the company released last year. Except for February's roster, which appears now as Microsoft trying to compensate for its failed attempt to raise the subscription price of Xbox Live Gold, most, if not all games released so far have been nothing but niche games that many players haven't even heard of.
What's worse is that ever since the release of the Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft has been unable to include games for the new consoles in the roster of Free Games with Gold. Apart from an Xbox Series X/S optimized version of Gears 5 released in February, the roster of free games Xbox Live subscribers received comprises Xbox One and Xbox 360 games as if the Xbox Series X/S doesn't exist. In comparison, Sony's PS Plus service is able to include a PS5 game ever since the console launched in November, which begs the question, if Sony can do it, why not Microsoft?
While there could be many factors why Microsoft appears to be putting less effort into revitalizing Xbox Live Gold, it is no secret that the company has been putting more resources into supporting Xbox Game Pass. Ever since the launch of the service, the Xbox Game Pass has been dubbed as the best deal in gaming, resulting in more players leaving Xbox Live Gold for Microsoft's shiny new service.
Since the start of the year, players have nothing but praise for Xbox Game Pass, especially since the service has plenty of big-name AAA games alongside other features. While Xbox Live Gold still has some benefits, such as access to online gaming and discounts, it is clear that the free games it offers monthly are no longer exciting as it once was. In the end, Microsoft's neglect of Xbox Live Goldis a clear indication that the company sees the Xbox Game Pass as the video game subscription service of the future.
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