You may have noticed that Polygon didn’t do an analysis of what Xbox Live’s Games With Gold program has to offer in 2022, such as it made PlayStation Plus Essential. Honestly, it’s because the expectations of that category are now very low – and Microsoft doesn’t seem interested in beating them – that it’s not worth it.
The pocketing of these games, most of which are small-scale titles, largely anonymous when they came out or were out a decade ago, seems cumulative and even malicious – if not unfair to their developers. Besides, it’s not like subscribers are actually being tricked into paying for something they don’t use. After all, Xbox Live Gold pioneered the idea of paid online multiplayer access 17 years ago, with the launch of the Xbox 360. If you’re not interested in paying for multiplayer online, Games With Gold itself won’t change your mind.
we did conscientious copy to explain that the real value lies in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which is $14.99 a month, $3 less than PlayStation Plus’ new high. Game Pass’s curated library and Committed to launch on timeespecially for Xbox first-party games, making it a much stronger option for a free-access library of big-name games.
Part of the reason we’re doing these year-end subscription analyzes is to compliment a well-chosen library or to encourage platform holders to do better. Xbox Live Games in Gold, via past three years, has shown that there are not many opportunities left for both. The Expiration of Xbox 360 games In Games with Gold, cutting the monthly offer down to two titles, we’re not optimistic that will change either.
All that said, let the record reflect that Xbox Live Games With Gold subscribers get access to 42 titles by 2022, for a combined suggested retail price of $712.58.
