Rumour: Free Xbox Live Multiplayer 'Close To Being A Sure Thing'

Same guy who said Cyberpunk 2077 was coming to Game Pass.

As much as I would love it, he has about as much credibility as Michael Pachter or Piers Harding-Rolls at this point.

Maybe it will would be awesome, but not taking it from Jeff Grubb. I will believe it when I see it.

I'm actually curious. If MP did go free, then surely that means that 360 owners also get MP free too right?. Since 360 games on Xbone and XSX, they all need to be free.

And that's a weird prospect, the 360 having free MP after all these years.

@Richnj that's true. I should set mine up.

@Medic_Alert the "crowd" is limited to one site in particular which amounts to probably around 1/400,000 of the overall playstation fanbase.

There was a lot of mental gymnastics this gen towards playstation fans from the xbox crowd. Vice versa previous gen. Will happen again this time.

Dont base your console purchase(s) based on crowds from a website you will get burnt.

@GunValkyrie I completely agree with you in that the only way to play online would be to subscribe to gamepass ultimate. It won’t be the first time Microsoft pushes you into something you don’t want to enjoy one of their services.
I’m fine with it because I already use gamepass anyway

It makes sense as a sizeable amount of their audience isn't going to be paying for it anyway on PC or Xcloud. It makes no sense to punish those who actually buy their hardware

This would be awesome & a great 🎤-drop moment in the show.

@Jaxx420 I agree. Jeff Grubb has no idea, he's just speculating after the one-year subscriptions were discontinued, like everyone else. He's at Michael Pachter's level.

@WesEds can you give some examples of Microsoft pushing you to do something.

Personally I think such a push would end their videogame business. For those who already have gamepass there wouldn't be an issue but there's tons of people who don't have gamepass and would just go buy a ps5

Xbox isn't in any position to do anything that jeopardizes their business. Playstation might have the good will to get by with such practices. Xbox not so much.

It would severely reduce the increasing backlog as this would stop Games with Gold although I assume the Gold Xbone games would disappear from.your library unless you subscribed to their more expensive service.

There are nasty people everywhere but it seems that they're gathering round Sony websites even insulting Phil Spencer for no reason with administrators and writers involved. You don't find that level of toxicity on Pure Xbox or Nintendo Life at all.

Said this before but, if MS announces this, it won’t be until after Sony abounded the PS5. Ideally, MS will try to announce both, the XSX price and this just after Sony reveals the PS5 price. I doubt Sony can afford making PS online multiplayer free, and the price proposition of Xbox being cheaper (very likely) plus free multiplayer, will very likely change a lot of gamers minds as to what console to buy.

On a company policy stance, right now MS insist they just want their gamers to play anywhere. They are releasing all their games on PC, where MP is free. I don’t think MS wants to make PC sound as a cheaper proposition than XBox, though. It’s just not good for them if someone buys Halo Infinite from Steam just because MP there is free. Making MP free on Xbox would even the playing field between PC and Xbox.

Side note: anyone remember when you had to pay for Gold just to run Netflix? It used to be the only reason I paid for it back in the day.

On topic, there are two options: either free or included with standard Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate will add PC games (already included) and xCloud. I'm sure that Games with Gold will disappear but we'll keep our collection, Xbox and 360 games are ours (as they are now) and Xbox One games are available when subscribed to Game Pass.

@Enigk it’s always possible Gold will remain only as Games With Gold.

@BlueOcean I have set more people on ignore at Nintendo Life than at PushSquare. It is not because of console fanboyism, though, but... different toxic flavor (anti-woke gamers, for some reason there are lot of them there.)

@KratosMD Yes I know it wasn't like that in 2013. @Tharsman I don't know what anti-woke means. I have to admit that on Nintendo Life there are many users that behave like bored 6-year-old but some of them are rude 40-year-old fanboys.

I think it's because they live in a bubble, they haven't played non-Nintendo consoles, they can't appreciate anything that is not Nintendo but if a developer works with Nintendo then suddenly it's good and if they get a port they get excited even if the port is rubbish but they wouldn't play the better version on another console.

They think that Nintendo is the only great developer in the world and that they always make the best games. They are very defensive, not allowing opinions criticising Nintendo and can be extremely annoying and insistent, so people end up ignoring them. They don't let you have an objective opinion nor your own opinion and address you rudely just because you're not another sheep. Some people call them NDF (Nintendo Defence Force).

@KratosMD If PureXBox becomes like that it would be a sad day indeed, this is overall one of the most pleasant gaming forums I've browsed and joined in a long time.

@KratosMD To say it would be good news as it would "destroy" another fanbase is antagonistic and that was their point. Id also point out the head of Xbox quoted in another article said they want to move away from rhetoric like that. It is part of the problem.

As for the original point. We dont know how Sony will respond with the online. They were the first to offer it for free but I do question if they can afford to do that now to counter.

Personally I dont do online multiplayer much so doesnt sway me either way.

@Jaxx420 Wasn't Nintendo the first one to offer free online on Nintendo DS?

@Jaxx420 @themightyant They mean that they dislike that attitude insulting head of Xbox and Xbox fans and they'd rather be playing with friendlier people.

@BlueOcean Sorry first home console to offer it. I skipped the DS and completely forgot about it. Lol.

@BlueOcean “I don't know what anti-woke means.”

I mean the kind of people that think inclusion and representation of minorities is destroying gaming. These people seem to swarm up NL.

@Tharsman Personally, the worst I've ever had on Nintendo life was just pure Nintendo worship. I think we may have brought it up before, but stuff like being overly defensive over Nintendo's paid online launch.

I'm actually surprised about the anti-woke stuff. Nintendo as a brand is very open and accepting, and attracts a much more diverse group, and it is as apolitical as a gaming company could be, that I just expected its audience to be more left than right. If anything I would have expected the PS audience to be the anti-woke ones since they are the "gamers", but I guess there may be a sort of schism there because of recent trends.

@Tharsman Didn't think of that. First time I have seen that as an idea. Guess we are all just going to have to be patient and see how it all plays out. It's all just conjecture at this point.

@Richnj I agree. People can say if they're gay over there and no one would be surprised as it should be everywhere. The problem with some people on Nintendo Life is the extreme worship and even worse being rude to people that have different opinions.

@BlueOcean Did you see the recent article about Deadly Premonition 2's director saying he will change how he handled a trans character in the game? The comments exploded with anti lgbt rhetoric. Lets not get started any time Brie Larson does anything Nintendo related, that group of people have an allergic reaction to her name.

@Tharsman I haven't read those articles and comments but I believe you. That's sad! I would have said something, I hate that.

I once talked on NL about how I think that UK & EU (my family is from UK and EU) are generally more open-minded than US but at the same time there are open-minded American TV series (that are very popular over here) and there were people supporting DT and rubbish like that on the thread and I couldn't believe it. I don't know, US is huge and there are many people from US on NL so you can find all kind of people and opinions but I think in UK & EU everybody is more inclusive, at least younger generations. There are old ladies like Rowling but for one Rowling you have every Harry Potter actor disapproving her words.

@KratosMD I dont disagree there but destroy was a bit strong is all it draws them out!

@BlueOcean I live in the UK and generally more inclusive but some of them, particularly the younger generation, take that inclusiveness to an extreme and if you disagree with anything hey say you are racist/homophobic/xenophobic/bigot/pick your poison. Particularly in the current political climate.

But I think that can be applied to anything. NL has built up a very tight-knit community, to a fault.

Would be great if it ends up being true! It wouldnt sway me personally but I can see something like this being a deciding factor for lots of people. Would definitely cause Sony/Nintendo to rethink their own strategies so in the end it would be great for everyone!

@Jaxx420 I don't like radicalism of any kind, only social inclusion is fair. We all are different but everyone should be respected and feel comfortable.

@BlueOcean I completely agree but will leave it there as Fraser is right we have digressed a bit. Site needs a PM function!

Back on to it. I will get disagreed with but I do think if MS offer free online Sony can do the same. I know the last time they offered free online was before their financial downturn but I think gaming has moved well past locking online behind a paywall.

I want to say this is another pro consumer move by MS (if it turns out to be the case) but frankly both companies should have stopped locking multiplayer behind a paywall some time ago.

I almost never play online, but I’ve been subscribed to Gold for over 10 years because of all the great sales you get access to as a Gold member. I wonder what will happen to those sales if the rumours are true and Gold will be phased out. Hopefully, and ideally, they would become available to everybody, but I feel like there is a risk that the deals will be locked behind Game Pass instead of Gold...

@Jaxx420 Yeah I noticed, what else can be said on topic though... This is the third piece in three days about Gold, I don't know what else to say 😆.

Remember how Sony added downloads to Playstation Now after Game Pass was around 10 million subscribers and Playstation Now around 1 million? And when Microsoft and Nintendo agreed to set cross-play up? Sony said no, because Playstation is the best place to play and then say yes because whatever? If Microsoft makes online free, will Sony do the same? I think so.

@BlueOcean I absolutely loath the Nintendo defense force. I have given Nintendo at minimum 10k in my life. You should be allowed to be critical when spending your hard earned money. People watch bad movies all the time and critique it after complaining about wasting $10! But somehow you have to just be happy with anything Nintendo give you at the $60 range.

I'm a fan but I wish there really was a Nintendo seal of quality.

@BlueOcean They will both make it free I reckon MS just made the first move.

It made both companies a ton of revenue so can see why they did it - but I think locking it behind a paywall was annoying.

Game Pass and PS Now didnt exist at that time though I guess so they had to get an extra revenue stream from somewhere.

@FraserG you are right, we should celebrate Xbox right now, I cannot wait the new games they will show in the next days

I could live without Gold if that means the free games I got are still mine, even if I don't subscribe to Ultimate. Still, it would be cool if this were true. Free online multiplayer should be standard, MS doing that would be awesome.

@sixrings I didn’t mean it in such a negative way but having just purchased an Xbox One a few weeks back I noticed a few things that seem odd.
1.to set up and use an Xbox one you need to create a Microsoft account, that’s a little odd in my opinion.
2. When creating a Microsoft account it creates an Account for all its other products that most people don’t use anymore.

I’m not hating on Xbox because I believe it’s a good system

@sixrings I agree, everyone has the right to criticise any game they play, more so when you buy it!

@Tharsman yeah, the "anti-woke" crowd does seem to have an odd attraction to NL. I have used the ignore button more than I care to admit on that site...

@Jaxx420 Right, they have earned a lot of money with Gold/Plus this generation but it's a bit unfair compared to free online on PC. They'll probably have to find revenue somewhere else. I think that Microsoft has a clear idea of the way to go and Sony will follow.

Probably, free online should be standard like @IronMan30 said.

Don't kid yourselves. If xbox goes free, Sony will go free too. Just as Xbox charging let Sony charge. It would be great for consoles in general... Sony only charged one generation so they don't have as much to lose. Yeah the sub is worth a lot but i can't see them charging if ms stops.... Though that's trouble for them as they pay ms for online now.

I agree with many others, the ps fanbase is the greatest argument to dislike ps at this point. It's not just pushsquare, though that's the lowest limbo bar in town. It's the overall internet behavior of Sony fans this gen from gamefaqs to reedit to Amazon reviews. I swear it's the same crowd that was 360 fans last gen that made me favor PlayStation at the time.

@FraserG No worries. I actually deleted my comment in order to try and maintain decour. I hope this is true and that multiplayer is free next gen. Sure we'll find out more on Thursday. Not long now.

@NEStalgia they are the largest fanbase so you see more of them.

Back in the day before Playstation was no different largest fanbase was the most aggressive. If boot was on the other foot it would be the other way around. It was the other way in the 360 days.

But dont let it affect your choice of console. The internet madmen are still small portion of the overall community. Remember the majority of install bases for both consoles dont surf gaming sites like this.

I always say judge on the games. Which is why announcements like the online service rumour here and thursdays event are key. Judge on the games.

@pip_muzz I saw the comment on my email. For what its worth I do not think it was much of a digression but I can understand why you removed it.

Again need a PM function! I too think free multiplayer should become a standard across both.

@BlueOcean @IronMan30 agreed. I think it was a key way to profit in the 360/PS3 days but more effective revenue streams now. Its a basic need for gamers to game with their friends and should be a free function now.

If it turns out to be true Kudos to MS for making the first move in remedying that. They were the first to lock it behind a paywall but I dont think that was anti-consumer as at that time it was the most effective revenue stream.

I think one of the reasons to make a move on free online now as well is the current climate.

We are still in the middle of this pandemic so local multiplayer between friends is almost non existent at the moment. Make it free for people to connect with friends and do what they love.

That is an awesome move.

It's not Push Square that's putting me off sony (they certainly don't help), it is Sony themselves. Increasing censorship, a lacking PS Now, questioning journalists when they don't give their exclusives 10/10, some arrogant remarks from sony and 1st parties over the last few years especially towards backwards compatibility. Selling an overpriced DLC for Spiderman as a next gen exclusive.

And this brings me on topic - in comparison I feel Xbox, as many here do, have done much to repair their shattered '2013 Mattrick TVTVTV' image of late, and are being pro consumer in a way I still find hard to believe - because, you know... its micro$oft lol. But I appreciate it, and I appreciate that microsoft seems to listen to critical response with some maturity and I would hope they are listening now to concerns about what Free Multiplayer will mean for our old benefits on gold. Overall I would welcome free multiplayer, and I trust they won't screw it up with some bad pr pricing move in same announcement. I doubt they wish any repeat of ill feeling that surrounded the 360 > Xbox One transition. I feel if it happens it's going to be the jam.

I'm also really looking forward to the 23rd July Event. Hyped you might say.

@Jaxx420 Oh @NEStalgia is a multiplatform player and a sensible person but I think he doesn't play much, he tries but doesn't beat games and keeps buying and trying more 😂. It's a lot of fun reading him in Cranky mode, he is blunt yet polite, a gentleman. At the end of the day, I agree with him a lot and he's one of my favourites and he knows that .

@Jaxx420 How was Gold and Plus in the 360/PS3, was it free? I only had Wii. What was Silver for?

@Jaxx420 with the extra monies I save from free online I will be upgrading to a series x instead of a series s

@TanaD I couldn't believe Naughty Dog's arrogance against some reviewers, as if it wasn't enough to make the most-successful PS4 game or whatever milestone. If you sell a game and people don't like it, deal with it. Don't release it if you can't accept mixed or negative reviews.

I don't like Sony's negative remarks about backwards compatibility either and I think the "We believe in generations" meme is an excuse to not work on backwards compatibility like Microsoft did because if they could they'd have every Playstation generation available on PS5. It's like when they said that 825 GB is enough for gamers in The Road to PS5. I mean, they have done great things but I don't know why they make excuses for everything and pretend that every decision they make is the best, like no backwards compatibility and a small SSD.

@BlueOcean Haha, thanks (I think? )

Oh I eventually beat my favorites. But yeah, I keep adding to the 3 platform backlog and jumping between games.... Trouble is I reach for switch 9/10 times for pure convenience, and when I start a TV tethered game it tends to be some huge RPG that I whittle at for months. I've had Ori for 2 years..... I'm finally playing it..... On Switch

There's a reason Major Nelson walks around E3 with a Switch....

But, yes, for @jaxx420 s reference I'm multiplat...im Nintendo since the 80s, was pc only for a decade or so, Sega in the 90s, bought PS3 and wasn't a fan of 360 due in part to its community, but ps3 ran multiplat like garbage and ended up getting and preferring 360. Sat on the fence, anyone's game until Matrick imploded Xbox in live video.... From #dealwithit to PiP football....preordered launch ps4 that night and scoffed at X1. Bought ps4 pro. Bought x1x for giggles.... Ended up rebuying my digital content on xbox. It's just so much more well thought out as an ecosystem.

At this point it's not about the games.... It's about the hardware and platform. Nintendo has the most convenient and the 1st party. I have to own ps for that 6-10 exclusives I want..... xb for everything else... It "just works" we'll see if that reverses this gen, but that experience seems to be ms focus, which is a big win. Though with storage costs I'm not super enthused with either new hardware.

@NEStalgia I don't get the convenience of Switch because I barely play outside my house and I suspect that people play Switch in their houses too even before the pandemic so why can't they enjoy TV play? It's much better.

I'm happy that you beat your favourites but it's better to focus on one adventure/RPG game at once because otherwise how can you really get immersed in the story? It's like jumping between films 😥.

I'm proud of myself for beating every single Kingdom Hearts game this generation including the DS games, I also beat Xenoblade Chronicles X almost 100%. I haven't played so many games this generation but I've played huge games 😁. There are some Xbox One games that I want to play on Series X. About storage, with the HDD (those that you destroy 😁) and copying to the internal memory I think that we'll be fine for a while.

@BlueOcean with switch, yeah, I've only left home with it a handful of times. But I play it outdoors a lot in spring, summer, fall rather than being stuck as a couch potato all year, and at other times it's easier to pick it up and play for 15 min or so if downtime than to turn on the tv and get the headphones or stereo set up and all. I tend to only do tv setup if I'm playing for more than an hour or so. So the convenience factor is very helpful (especially for a game like Ori where it's hard to take more than 15 minutes at a time without rage quitting )

RPGs though... Yeah... Starting a lot of those was mostly about checking them out while I was loading up on 2 gens of games i missed.... I'll probably never have time to play them all! I added Outer Worlds to that list during the E3 (ish) sale..... That's supposedly shorter and more concise so i might actually get though it in the late fall or so

Right now I'm toggling between DQXI, Trails of Cold Steel... Deciding which to go deeper into (ugg, some Sony dependence for 1 and 2 there only because Marvelous sucks).. But also noodling with Dragon's Dogma (really cool but i can't quite find a place it clicks with me yet), saints row (the combat sucks but it's plain silly fun) ori, Daemon X Machina (actually a fun mech game) ... I'll beat that. I did finally beat astral chain too. The xbox is more for November to may..... Unless i pick one of the ps games to play.

My four switches are all set up at a desk for lan parties and never leaves the house.

Keep thinking about this whole free multiplayer thing and how it benefits MS:

If someone does not want to pay the online play fee, they will likely buy from Steam (that means a big cut of the pie lost, even more significant for third party games.)

F2P games like Fortnite work best by letting anyone play. Any pay wall reduces the player base. Free MP means Fortnite (or any such game) will have a much larger player base (at least on the console) and attract a bigger slice of the season pass sales.

Side note (might had been noted already) Nintendo does not require Nintendo Online Membership to play F2P game’s online, only premium games requires Nintendo Online. That places Xbox on a small disadvantage.

Yea, the more I think the more convinced I am: multiplayer will be going free by the end of the year.

@NEStalgia fair play a fellow multiplat gamer I like it, hopefully free online returns to all three!

@NEStalgia DQXI is awesome. Sylvando might have become my favorite video games character of all time.

Not sure but I think ms will make online play free, but bring in a cheap xcloud sub and put the Xbox one gwg on that. Then those that only want online are happy cause they save money and those that like the gwg get the bonus of being able to play them on any device.

@NEStalgia

I agree. I had a 360 last gen too & a lot of the same toxicity from people was present there. They seemed to jump to PlayStation after the awful Xbox One reveal.

It seems to be whatever is the most “popular” console for the generation brings out the toxic crowd hating on the other console. There are hardcore fans on both sides, but the “popular” console brings out the trash.

I remember when I had the OG Xbox. The online community seemed pretty cool. Then I got my 360 & started playing online & was shocked by how nasty it was. I stopped using a microphone for that reason.

And it seemed to be the gamer that was on the PS2 jumped to Xbox after the awful PS3 ($600, “get a 2nd job”) reveal.