For 18 years, Xbox Live has been the name of Microsoft's online gaming service that has since become a huge part of most Xbox players' experience. Several weeks ago, Microsoft made a surprising announcement when it revealed that it is rebranding Xbox Live and will be calling it Xbox network.

Ever since the huge announcement, some wondered whether the rebranding would affect the way Xbox Live and Xbox Games with Gold works. However, Microsoft clarified that the update from Xbox Live to Xbox network is merely to separate Xbox Live from Xbox Live Gold subscriptions. To put it simply, the change is focused on clearing up any confusion between news and updates about the online systems from the paid subscription service.

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In short, the latest Xbox network rebranding does not have any effect on Xbox Games with Gold, which is odd. For several months now, Xbox Live Gold subscribers have questioned the value of the subscription service. Given that Microsoft is removing the Xbox Live Gold requirement to access free-to-play games, the only use for an Xbox Live Gold subscription is access to paid online multiplayer games and a monthly roster of free Xbox Games with Gold.

Unfortunately, it seems Microsoft is not interested in improving its selection of free games for Xbox Live Gold subscribers, especially since the company is pouring all of its efforts into Game Pass. In February, players were surprised with the roster of Games with Gold, given that it included an Xbox Series X/S optimized title alongside some big-name games. However, March and April's Games with Gold followed, and once again, Microsoft reverted to its usual lackluster selection. Not only did the company drop a spot for Xbox Series X/S, but the other games revealed for March and April are mostly titles that many never even heard of.

One thing that is made clear by the Xbox rebranding is that Microsoft has no plans to phase out Xbox Live Gold, given that it went through all this trouble to distinguish it from the Xbox network. Although Microsoft emphasized that the decision to call Xbox Live Xbox network has no significant effect on Xbox Live Gold, it is worth pointing out that it could have used the rebranding to revitalize its subscription service. Of course, it is understandable that Microsoft is pouring all of its efforts to improve the Xbox Game Pass, given that it is still fairly new. However, at the very least, Microsoft should ensure that Xbox Live Gold subscribers are still getting their money's worth.

It is worth highlighting that Xbox Live Gold subscribers are not asking much from Microsoft. Xbox Live Gold doesn't need to have newly released games, such as Outriders, available on day one. However, Games with Gold should at least have one Xbox Series X/S optimized game and solid, if old, Xbox One games, especially now that the Xbox One is no longer a current-gen console. As previously mentioned, Microsoft could have used the rebranding as an opportunity to implement these changes, especially if the company insists on keeping Xbox Live Gold alive. In the end, loyal Xbox Live Gold subscribers deserve more than just a name change.

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