Following the news of a new Microsoft program called Xbox Game Pass, fans began to wonder. What does this mean for the program Games with Gold? The team over at Microsoft wants to assure fans that the Xbox Game Pass will not affect the Games with Gold program.

Games with Gold offers free games each month. The catch here is that players are required to have Xbox Gold … fits in with the name, right? These games are only available during the month that they’re offered, as well, but once you’ve downloaded them, they are yours to keep as long as you are a Live member. If you’d like more info on the games coming out this month check here.

In the case of the Xbox Game Pass however, the program is something more like Gamefly or Netflix: a subscription based gaming service available for a monthly payment of $9.99. The games within this program will be available for players to download and play for free so long as they have have a subscription and the games are in the services library. This will contain the likes of games such as: Halo 5: Guardians, Payday 2, NBA 2K16 and SoulCalibur II, as well as over a 100 more titles. If you’d like more information on the program you can find it here.

As it would seem, this new program has brought some concern among players. Will the new program take over the role of Games with Gold? Will it be a separate entity? Turns out, Kotaku reached out to Microsoft to clarify:

Games with Gold and Xbox Game Pass are two different service offerings with unique benefits,” says a statement Kotaku received. “Games with Gold is an added benefit specific to Xbox Live Gold members that rewards players with two to four free games each month to enjoy. Xbox Game Pass is a subscription-based service that gives you unlimited access to over 100 Xbox One and Xbox 360 backward compatible games for Xbox One for $9.99 USD per month.

Xbox Game Pass does not require Xbox Live Gold. This means players can purchase a subscription without needing to pay further for Gold. Of course, if you wish to play any multiplayer or online content you will be required to purchase Gold.

What are your thoughts on the Xbox Game Pass? Is it necessary to have two subscriptions for something so similar? Let us know in the comments below and as always don’t forget to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter for 24/7 coverage of all things gaming and entertainment.

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