The next Xbox generation could finally remove one of the biggest barriers in console gaming: the cost of online play.
It feels like everything related to Xbox has gotten more expensive lately, from consoles to subscriptions. Now at least one thing might finally go in the other direction.
A Long-Standing Paywall Might Be Coming Down
For years, Xbox players have had to pay for online multiplayer through Xbox Live Gold, later rebranded as Game Pass Core. It’s been one of the few remaining paywalls in modern gaming and one of the most criticized.
According to Jez Corden of Windows Central, multiplayer on the next Xbox console will be free-to-play. If that report proves accurate, it would mark a major shift in Microsoft’s approach to its console ecosystem. For the first time in over two decades, players could jump into online matches without paying for the privilege.
Removing that barrier would be a major win for Xbox players and a long overdue step toward a more open platform experience.
Blurring the Line Between Console and PC
The next Xbox might not be a traditional console at all. Reports suggest that Microsoft is moving toward a more open, PC-like system built to work seamlessly across devices. That shift would make a free multiplayer model a natural step, bringing the console experience closer to what players already enjoy on PC.
One clear sign of this direction is the ASUS ROG Ally, a Windows-based handheld that runs Xbox Game Pass and plays both console and PC titles. It’s not an Xbox device by name, but it shows how deeply the Xbox ecosystem is merging with the broader PC space.
For Microsoft, removing the paywall around online play would fit perfectly within that trend. As the line between console and PC continues to blur, treating multiplayer as a free, universal feature feels less like a bold experiment and more like the logical next step in Xbox’s evolution – and something we'd hope for across the board, while we're at it.
A Welcome Change After Months of Price Hike
After months of higher prices for consoles, Game Pass, and even development tools, Xbox players haven’t had much to cheer about. Free multiplayer wouldn’t erase those frustrations, but it would be a rare positive note in a stretch that’s felt increasingly expensive.
It’s not a game-changer, but it’s a small move in the right direction for a company that’s got some trust to earn back.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
