GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

No, You Don't Need to Pay for Xbox Live on Windows 10

Microsoft confirms an Xbox Live Gold subscription is not required to play games online using the new Xbox app for Windows 10.

By on

322 Comments
Click To Unmute
Xbox on Windows 10
  1. Hades 2 Is Already An Exciting Sequel With Confident Changes | Technical Test Impressions
  2. Firearms Expert Reacts to Fallout 76's Guns
  3. Fallout 4 Next Gen Update Comparison
  4. Why Are Video Game Adaptations Good Now? | Spot On
  5. Fallout 4 Steam Deck Verified Gameplay
  6. ALIEN: Rogue Incursion - Announcement Teaser Trailer
  7. Stellar Blade - 13 Things I Wish I Knew
  8. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl — Official "Not a Paradise" Trailer
  9. Honkai: Star Rail - "Then Wake to Weep" | Version 2.2 Trailer
  10. Devil May Cry: Peak Of Combat | Dante: Blazing Tempest Gameplay Trailer
  11. SAND LAND — Official Launch Trailer
  12. Sea of Thieves Season 12: Official Content Update Video

Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

Sign up or Sign in now!

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

It might not come as much of a surprise, but Microsoft has now officially confirmed that you will not need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to access online multiplayer when the service comes to PC via Windows 10 later this year.

An Xbox Live Gold subscription ($60/year) is required on Xbox 360 and Xbox One to play games online and to take part in some sales and other promotions.

No Caption Provided

Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb confirmed the news this week. On Twitter, Hryb said: "Not charging. Xbox Live Gold will not be required for online multiplayer gaming using our service on Windows 10 PCs and Phones."

Xbox Live for Windows 10 was announced during a January Microsoft event. Many of the Xbox Live features already available Xbox, including chat, friends lists, and the Activity feed, will also be available on PC. In fact, some PC gamers can already try out these features, provided they are part of the Microsoft Insider testing program.

When it launches later this year, Xbox Live for Windows 10 will also support Xbox-to-PC streaming, cross-platform play with Xbox One, and GameDVR. Windows 10 is set to launch sometime this fall, though a specific launch date has not yet been announced.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

PC
Join the conversation
There are 322 comments about this story
322 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for XBones
XBones

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

XBones

So how long till you do HAVE to pay on the PC? And the real question is.. why do you have to pay on the xbox? Now, thanks to microsoft, sony made it so you had to pay to play online....


I don't understand how they can justify charging to use the internet to connect games? PC has been doing it for free since the internet was introduced...


American Greed.. always and forever.

6 • 
Avatar image for GraveUypo
GraveUypo

272

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

GraveUypo

<< LINK REMOVED >> well, you see. on steam you do pay for the service. 30% of the game's gains go to steam, that's their cut. it probably ends up being indirectly more expensive than just paying an annual fee.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for sajko33
sajko33

27

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

sajko33

<< LINK REMOVED >> They charge you because they can and not because they have to for maintaining service. Consoles are closed system and Microsoft can do whatever they want. PC is open platform and if Valve decided to charge MP people would move elsewhere.


I wonder how long will it take for console users to realize they are getting scammed. Pretty sure if Sony didnt go with PS+ mandatory on PS4, MS would drop subscription as well. But people are buying it and nothing will change. They are happy with "free" GWG games they get.

3 • 
Avatar image for rasterror
rasterror

3694

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

rasterror

I got Rayman and Tomb Raider for around $3 if you divide the $40 I paid for Live by 12 months. Yeah, what a ripoff!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for uw0tm8
uW0Tm8

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

uW0Tm8

<< LINK REMOVED >> Lots of anti MS in that comment it's amazing. Automatically it's MS' fault for Sony becoming a sub service, because SONY didn't and couldn't decide for themselves??

Great logic tardo...Stay tardy

5 • 
Avatar image for nic332
nic332

64

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

nic332

<< LINK REMOVED >> if u run a server farm, you'll realize how much that sub fee is needed fast

4 • 
Avatar image for Lordcrabfood
Lordcrabfood

313

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Lordcrabfood

MS did not hold a gun to sony's head. Sony is not here for the gamer, no company is. They are all here to make money.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for andmcq
andmcq

259

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

andmcq

<< LINK REMOVED >> You're paying to use their services. PC's do pay, they pay to use their ISPs services.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-58a78a043e9d4
deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

2269

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 19

User Lists: 0

deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> He's talking about the servers themselves. Your ISP doesn't have anything to do with them.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for andmcq
andmcq

259

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

andmcq

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> As a comparison it does.


Microsoft and Sony charging to access their online services is perfectly fair.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for pelvist
pelvist

9001

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 23

User Lists: 0

pelvist

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> No it isnt fair at all. They are charging people to play games over Peer2Peer connection and that means you and everyone else are hosting the servers you pay a subscription for with the bandwidth you already paid your ISP for.


You should not have to pay twice just because Microsoft say so, they are holding multiplayer at ransom. Microsoft already make way more than enough money to support the upkeep of XBL from advertising, something console gamers effectively pay to look at.


The topic of this article, the MASSIVE success of Steam and what happened with GFWL are proof that subscriptions to these services are not needed for them to be maintained. Microsoft know that if they try charging PC gamers for XBL then PC gamers will just ignore it and continue playing games for free elsewhere.


They charge console gamers a subscription because console gamers will pay it. Its that simple.

2 • 
Avatar image for andmcq
andmcq

259

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

andmcq

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> That's probably not what they're charging you for.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-58a78a043e9d4
deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

2269

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 19

User Lists: 0

deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Maybe from a business perspective, not from a consumer one. Console gamers pay for broadband service and online gaming service, PC gamers only pay for broadband and also pay less for the games themselves. If we can have dedicated servers for free then there's nothing preventing console companies from doing the same thing.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for andmcq
andmcq

259

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

andmcq

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> I don't think there's anything similar on PC like the XBL or PSN platforms. If there was then PC users would be paying a monthly subscription to it for access. Whether we're talking about the servers themselves or the entire XBL system is a little irrelevant because they are inseparable.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xsonicchaos
xsonicchaos

1389

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 32

User Lists: 0

xsonicchaos

<< LINK REMOVED >>

When you say XBL, what the hell are you referring to exactly? And I'm not asking about the acronyms. Yes, there are many similar services like XBL on PC, and probably better.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for andmcq
andmcq

259

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

andmcq

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Really? Care to name a few?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for duggshammer
duggshammer

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

duggshammer

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> steam.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for andmcq
andmcq

259

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

andmcq

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> I knew someone would say Steam.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for duggshammer
duggshammer

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

duggshammer

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> ...and? You don't think Steam is an equivalent service to Xbox Live/PS Plus? IMO Steam is a superior service and it's free.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for andmcq
andmcq

259

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

andmcq

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> They're similar, but one's on PC and ones in a very locked out environment with no competition. If Steam had no competition, like zero, they'd also charge for a sub.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for duggshammer
duggshammer

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

duggshammer

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> When Steam started 10 years ago, there was absolutely no competition... I'd argue there is still no competition (Origin/Uplay offer very limited capabilities and games compared to Steam). And, it's always been free.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for pelvist
pelvist

9001

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 23

User Lists: 0

pelvist

<< LINK REMOVED >> There was competition from Mplayer and Gamespy, although Mplayer didnt last long, Gamespy Arcade was much more popular than Steam was back then and even had a premium subscription service to get rid of ads.


Steam, has never shown any interest in charging gamers to game and has always put its userbase first. Since Gamespy is no longer around and Steam keeps getting bigger and bigger every day, id say Valve made all the right choices so far.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for andmcq
andmcq

259

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

andmcq

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Well I'm going back to the future now.


*waves arms slowly*

fading away, fading awaay..

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-58a78a043e9d4
deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

2269

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 19

User Lists: 0

deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

Considering there are thousands of alternatives, how would they even enforce it if they tried? That's the whole point of PC gaming, you're never tied to what one company dictates.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for GarGx1
GarGx1

10934

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

GarGx1

Adding this to the report about all first party Xbox One games also being put on PC, it makes me wonder if MS have decided to kill off the Xbox slowly.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for pjosephson
pjosephson

189

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

pjosephson

<< LINK REMOVED >> Spencer said "most" first party not "all". You will probably not see the true bread and butter Xbox games like Halo 5 on the PC (at least not for a while after their release)

Upvote • 
Avatar image for suicidesn0wman
suicidesn0wman

7490

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

suicidesn0wman

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> I don't think they're all going to be released same day either. probably hit the X1 first, then win10 6 months later.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5a7a9f13c46dd
deactivated-5a7a9f13c46dd

72

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: -2

deactivated-5a7a9f13c46dd

So I guess this is the spiritual successor to GFWL?

3 • 
Avatar image for eternaldragoonx
eternaldragoonx

540

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

eternaldragoonx

<< LINK REMOVED >> Only this looks good.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for GrendelSP
GrendelSP

131

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

GrendelSP

So if I just play xbox games on my pc... I don't need to pay for live, or use an xbox... I like where this is going.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for pjosephson
pjosephson

189

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

pjosephson

<< LINK REMOVED >> If you are streaming from the Xbox you will need to have XBox Live Gold if you are using those XBL services (it is not like you would actually running the Xbox game locally on the PC, it still is using the Xbox to run). But, if you are using the PC dedicated version than no, you will not be required to have gold. I don't see how this really changes from the current situation on how games run.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-58a78a043e9d4
deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

2269

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 19

User Lists: 0

deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> I'm pretty sure he's talking about playing crossplay games he's already bought for Xbox.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Dragoon4life
Dragoon4life

162

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 132

User Lists: 0

Dragoon4life

<< LINK REMOVED >> I think you'll still have to pay on the Xbox, you just wont ALSO have to pay on the PC.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-58a78a043e9d4
deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

2269

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 19

User Lists: 0

deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Not if you don't use Xbox live services on the Xbox. You don't need a subscription to play single player games.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Dragoon4life
Dragoon4life

162

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 132

User Lists: 0

Dragoon4life

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Well, Yes that's a given. Point is you can't just "bypass" Xbox Live service if you want to use what it offers. You still have to pay for it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Shantmaster_K
Shantmaster_K

1790

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 36

User Lists: 0

Shantmaster_K

Smart move. Would have been a shit storm if you did.

Upvote •