Microsoft officially announces Game Pass Core, a new entry-level option for console

Following on from a leak yesterday, Microsoft has now officially announced Xbox Game Pass Core. The new, cheaper subscription option will replace Xbox Live Gold, offering Xbox console gamers access to multiplayer services, as well as a handful of Game Pass hits, with plans to add additional games periodically. 

While the standard and Ultimate versions of Game Pass get new games every two weeks, Game Pass Core will have a slower update schedule, with Microsoft planning to update the library two to three times a year with newer titles. Game Pass Core will carry the same price tag as the standalone Game Pass for PC subscription ($9.99), which likely means we'll be looking at £7.99 or £8.99 here in the UK.

There will be “more than 25 titles” from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda and third-party partners included in the Game Pass Core library. The first confirmed titles are:

• Among Us
• Descenders
• Dishonored 2
• Doom Eternal
• Fable Anniversary
• Fallout 4
• Fallout 76
• Forza Horizon 4
• Gears 5
• Grounded
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Halo Wars 2
• Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
• Human Fall Flat
• Inside
• Ori & The Will of the Wisps
• Psychonauts 2
• State of Decay 2
• The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited

Game Pass Core is a console-only subscription, so it does not include any PC games or PC versions of games. Personally, I think it might be priced a bit too close to standard Game Pass. In the US, Game Pass Core is $9.99 per month, but a Game Pass for Console subscription is just $1 more per month and offers many more games, day-one releases and new library updates twice per month. With that in mind, I don't anticipate that Game Pass Core will become the most popular subscription option in the line-up.

Xbox Game Pass Core will become available starting on the 14th of September. You can save significantly by purchasing a 12-month subscription for $59.99, rather than paying the monthly $9.99 fee. If you are already an Xbox Live Gold subscriber, you will be automatically moved over to a Game Pass Core membership at launch. The Games with Gold program will end on the 1st of September.

If you unsubscribe, you will get to keep access to all Xbox 360 titles claimed via the Games with Gold program.

KitGuru Says: I think the monthly price could do with coming down a little, but the yearly price seems fair. Do you think Game Pass Core will be a good replacement for Xbox Live Gold? 

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