Xbox Game Pass subscribers aren't happy about one missing feature following the reveal of Xbox Game Pass Core. Xbox Game Pass offers exclusive deals and several games each month, and Xbox Game Pass Core serves as both the base subscription tier and the direct replacement of Xbox Live Gold.
Every month, Microsoft announces batches of games joining and leaving the Xbox Game Pass lineup. Most recently, Microsoft announced five new games are heading to Xbox Game Pass in the second half of July 2023, including Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem and Venba. Marvel's Avengers and Expeditions: Rome are among the five games leaving Xbox Game Pass on July 31 due to the incoming batch of games. Alongside a rotating lineup of games from third parties, subscribers have access to exclusive discounts and day one first-party releases. Xbox Game Pass Core is the latest addition to the Xbox Game Pass subscription model as Microsoft prepares to sunset Xbox Live Gold and Deals with Gold from its latest consoles.
Xbox fan Armadyz and fellow Xbox Game Pass subscribers are unhappy about the lack of online multiplayer support for the Console tier, which costs $10.99 a month. Xbox Game Pass Core costs $9.99 and offers online multiplayer, so current Console subscribers must opt for a Core or Ultimate subscription to receive this benefit. Although Xbox Game Pass Console did not offer online multiplayer in the past, some subscribers believe the missing feature will now bring confusion to gamers wanting to purchase a subscription for the first time.
The recent reveal of Xbox Game Pass Core has sparked several debates about whether Microsoft should introduce the online multiplayer benefit to the Console tier or not. Some users in the Reddit's Xbox community believe Microsoft must add online multiplayer to Xbox Game Pass Console since Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold will no longer be two coexisting services on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S later this year. Others believe the Console tier should maintain its purpose as a "base" Xbox Game Pass subscription since fans may want to access a library of single-player games instead of playing online multiplayer titles.
More gamers may be encouraged to sign up for an Xbox Game Pass Console subscription if online multiplayer support was included. However, the benefit might decrease the number of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers on consoles since the Console tier would offer most of the benefits at a lower monthly price. Microsoft may revise Xbox Game Pass Console benefits in the future, but it's unclear whether the company would offer online multiplayer support to this particular subscription tier.
At the very least, all Xbox Game Pass subscribers will receive a selection of hit titles after picking a tier. Xbox Game Pass Core will not receive new games each month like Console and Ultimate subscriptions, but Core subscribers can still expect new game additions two or three times a year.