As part of the Games with Gold program, Microsoft has revealed the next four titles that “Xbox Game Pass” and “Xbox Live Gold” members are getting throughout May 2021. In this rollout, the software giant is making available $79.96 worth of games, including Armello and Dungeons 3. Also, through Backwards Compatibility, you will be able to play Lego Batman and Tropico 4.
On Xbox One and Xbox Series X (and Series S), throughout May 2021, subscribers will be able to download Armello ($19.99 ERP). And from May 16 through June 15, Dungeons 3 ($29.99 ERP) will be available at no extra cost.
On Xbox 360, Lego Batman ($19.99 ERP) will be free until May 15. Finally, on May 16 and through the end of the month, Tropico 4 ($9.99 ERP) will also be available for free.
You can also see the April 2021 games here.
In addition, Microsoft has now removed the Xbox Live Gold subscription requirement to play free-to-play multiplayer games on the Xbox network. This means you can now play a variety of games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X or S online with other gamers without a Gold subscription.
Furthermore, the company is also making Xbox party chat and the Looking For Groups (LFG) feature available without a subscription.
Although you won’t be able to play every game in the catalog, you will no longer need to pay to play games like Call of Duty: Warzone, Destiny 2, Fortnite, Rocket League, Warframe, Apex Legends, and many others.
Xbox Live Gold vs. Game Pass Ultimate
An Xbox Live Gold membership gives you exclusive access to free games through the “Games with Gold” program every month. Also, the subscription gives you full access to online gaming and game discounts. If you are not a subscriber, you can always find good deals at the Microsoft Store.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a monthly subscription service that includes the same benefits as the Xbox Live Gold membership. However, you also get unlimited access to download and play over 100 high-quality games on your Xbox One or gaming PC. You can join the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate following this link.
Microsoft recently announced a new price increase on its Xbox Live Gold subscription twice as much as the PlayStation subscription (to $120 per year) on what seems to be a strategy to lure customers into switching to the Game Pass subscription. However, shortly after the announcement and customers complain, the company backtracked the hike and said that the pricing would continue to stay the same as before. Furthermore, the software giant is also working to make the Xbox network more accessible, like Sony and Nintendo, by ending the subscription requirement for freely available games (free-to-play) that you can play online with other remember.
Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S
Xbox Series X is the next-generation console from Microsoft that features AMD’s Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures and 16GB of memory, offering 12 teraflops of processing power, allowing up to 4K resolution and up to 120fps gameplay. The Series X costs $499.99, and you can order it now at the Microsoft Store.
Alongside the Xbox Series X, Microsoft also offers the smaller Xbox Series S, a slightly less powerful version of the console targeted at 1080p and 1440p gaming. However, it plays next generations games, and it only costs $299.99. The console is available now, and you can order it at the Microsoft Store. If you cannot decide which one you should buy, this guide will help you determine the best console for you.
Since Microsoft has now shifted to the next generation of game consoles, it has already discontinued the Xbox One X and Xbox One All-Digital edition production. Production of the Xbox One S will continue, and you can order it from the Microsoft Store.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].