Source: Windows Central
What you need to know
- Xbox Live refers to the underlying network technologies that have powered Xbox for nearly two decades.
- Recently, Xbox Insiders noticed that mentions of "Xbox Live" were disappearing from the Xbox console.
- Microsoft has now confirmed in a statement that Xbox Live is officially rebranded to Xbox network.
- Xbox Live Gold isn't changing right now, but the Xbox Live branding is being retired.
Xbox Live is a well-known brand that has been synonymous with Xbox online since the console's debut 18 years ago. However, Xbox Insiders recently began noticing that mentions of the Xbox Live brand disappeared from the Xbox Dashboard, most noticeably when trying to upload and share game captures like screenshots on Xbox or view already-uploaded captures. Eagle-eyed people also noticed that the Microsoft Services Agreement was updated to remove any mentions of Xbox Live.
In a statement to the Verge, Microsoft has officially confirmed speculations: Xbox Live is being rebranded to Xbox network, and the long-running brand is being retired.
From a Microsoft spokesperson: "'Xbox network' refers to the underlying Xbox online service, which was updated in the Microsoft Services Agreement. The update from 'Xbox Live' to 'Xbox network' is intended to distinguish the underlying service from Xbox Live Gold memberships."
In recent years, the importance of the Xbox Live brand has diminished significantly in the wake of Xbox Game Pass and its exponential growth (the list of games coming and going from Xbox Game Pass is huge). With this change, the Xbox Live Gold subscription, which lets gamers play online multiplayer games on Xbox, isn't going away or being altered at all. Still, even Xbox Live Gold has lessened in importance with its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is one of the best values in gaming, and combines a ton of different benefits in one. Get the most out of your subscription by checking out our list of Best Games for Xbox Game Pass.
A catalog of games
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
All your gaming needs, in one subscription.
Is the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate the best value in all of gaming? It's possible. Ultimate bundles your Xbox Live Gold subscription, an Xbox Game Pass subscription for both Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, and Xbox Cloud Gaming for on-the-go. That means access to hundreds of games, with more added all the time, for a single monthly subscription cost.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
The semiconductor crisis is worsening and industries are clashing
Countries and companies are scrambling to boost chip output and combat the ever-worsening global semiconductor shortage. However, solutions aren't materializing fast enough to avoid having entire industries at each other's throats.
Halo Infinite: These are the weapons you can use during the beta
There are plenty of tools of destruction that players have at their disposal during the Halo Infinite beta testing. Here's a complete list of every weapon you can pick up and use.
Intel's two new Arizona chip factories have begun construction
It's been in the works for a while, and it's finally time for steel to be applied: Construction has begun on Intel's $20 billion investment in new Arizona-based chip factories.
These 6 cheap external drives pair perfectly with Xbox One
Next-generation games are getting bigger and bigger, and internal storage is getting harder to come by. These external hard drives upgrade your Xbox One storage without breaking the bank.
