Microsoft has begun testing its Xbox Live Gold replacement, the Xbox Game Pass Core, with Xbox Insiders. Those in the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead rings, who are already Xbox Live Gold members, can now preview the Xbox Game Pass Core.
Upon full subscription, Xbox Game Pass Core will provide Xbox online console multiplayer support, deals and discounts, along with access to a new, smaller catalog of more than 25 games. For the initial testing period this week, Xbox Insiders will have access to Psychonauts 2, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, State of Decay 2, and Doom Eternal from the Game Pass Core library.
According to Lily Wang, a senior product manager at Xbox, the complete library will be accessible when the service launches on September 14. Furthermore, Xbox Live Gold's branding will be updated to Game Pass Core. Microsoft encourages testers to provide feedback on any remaining references to Xbox Live Gold on the Xbox dashboard in the upcoming weeks.
The Xbox Game Pass Core launch will follow Microsoft's recent price increase for its overall Xbox Game Pass monthly subscriptions. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has moved from $14.99 per month to $16.99, and the base Xbox Game Pass for Console pricing has risen from $9.99 a month to $10.99. Additionally, Microsoft will discontinue the Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family plan on August 15, with no clear indication of its return as a preview program at a later date.
