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Microsoft ditches Xbox Live Gold requirement for free-to-play multiplayer from today

50+ games including Fortnite and COD: Warzone now actually free to play.

Microsoft has announced its previous promise to ditch Xbox Live Gold subscription requirements for free-to-play multiplayer titles on its consoles will come into effect today.

Previously, Microsoft was the only one of the big-three consoles makers still insisting a paid subscription was necessary in order to access online multiplayer features in free-to-play games.

Nintendo and Sony also charge players to participate in online multiplayer on their platforms - through their Nintendo Switch Online and PlayStation Plus subscription services respectively - but only for premium titles, with free-to-play offerings having remained exempt.

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However, Microsoft announced it would be changing its stance on free-to-play multiplayer, bringing its policy inline with other consoles, back in January following a significant backlash against its decision to hike Xbox Live Gold prices during the pandemic - a move it rapidly reversed after a less-than-positive response from consumers.

"As part of listening to your feedback, this change will take place starting today," Microsoft wrote in a new blog post, "and all Xbox players will be able to access online multiplayer at no charge for a library of over 50 free-to-play games that support online multiplayer."

Those titles are a blend of big-hitters - including Apex Legend, Call of Duty: Warzone, Rocket League, Destiny 2, Fortnite, Roblox, and Warframe - mixed in with some lesser-known offerings, with the complete list available below. Microsoft says it will continue to update the list over on Xbox.com as new free-to-play titles launch.

  • 3on3 FreeStyle
  • Aegis Wing
  • APB Reloaded
  • Apex Legends
  • Armored Warfare
  • Battle Ages
  • Battle Islands
  • Battle Islands: Commanders
  • Bless Unleashed
  • Brawlhalla
  • Call of Duty: Warzone
  • Crackdown
  • Crackdown 2
  • Crimson Alliance
  • Crossout
  • CRSED: F.O.A.D.
  • Darwin Project
  • Dauntless
  • DC Universe Online
  • Dead or Alive 5 Last Round: Core Fighters
  • Dead or Alive 6: Core Fighters
  • Defiance 2050
  • Destiny 2
  • Doritos Crash Course
  • Dungeon Defenders II
  • Enlisted
  • Eternal Card Game
  • Family Game Night
  • Fishing Planet
  • Fortnite
  • Galaxy Control: Arena
  • Gems of War
  • Happy Wars
  • Harm's Way
  • Hawken
  • Hyper Scape
  • Killer Instinct
  • Korgan
  • Minion Masters
  • Neverwinter
  • Outriders (Demo)
  • Paladins
  • Path of Exile
  • Phantasy Star Online 2
  • Phantom Dust
  • Pinball FX2
  • Prominence Poker
  • Realm Royale
  • Rec Room
  • Resident Evil Revelations 2
  • ROBLOX
  • Rocket League
  • Rogue Company
  • Skyforge
  • SMITE
  • Spacelords
  • Spellbreak
  • Star Trek Online
  • Techwars Global Conflict
  • TERA
  • The Four Kings Casino and Slots
  • Too Human
  • Trove
  • Vigor
  • War Thunder
  • Warface
  • Warframe
  • World of Tanks
  • World of Warships: Legends
  • Yaris

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