Xbox One and Series X Free-to-Play Games Don’t Need Xbox Live Gold Now

People no longer need Xbox Live Gold to play free-to-play Xbox One and Xbox Series X games online. Microsoft confirmed that all multiplayer games will no longer require a membership to play online. However, paid games with online components will still require Xbox Live Gold.

The announcement included a list of games now playable as a result of the change. Here are some of the more notable free-to-play Xbox One games with online elements people can take part in without Xbox Live Gold now.

• Dead or Alive 5 Last Round: Core Fighters: People can go through some modes with Ayane, Hayate, Kasumi, and Ryu. (Story mode is unavailable.)
• Dead or Alive 6: Core Fighters: Like DOA 5’s Core Fighters version, this lets you use four characters in a few modes and online. Bass, Diego, Hitomi, and Kasumi are included. 
• Phantasy Star Online 2: This is the free MMORPG from Sega.
• Phantom Dust: This is the updated rerelease of the Xbox CCG.
• Resident Evil Revelations 2: Its free episode one trial includes Raid Mode.

Microsoft announced the removal of the Xbox Live Gold requirement for free-to-play games back in January 2021. It came after a negative response to the company suggesting it would increase the price of Xbox Live Gold subscriptions.