Microsoft Will No Longer Require Xbox Live Gold for Party Chat or Free-to-Play Multiplayer

Multiplayer gaming on Xbox is pretty fun, but players previously needed an Xbox Live Gold subscription to take advantage of party chat, Looking For Group, and even free-to-play multiplayer games. Now, Microsoft has finally eliminated that requirement.

We know this courtesy of Xbox Preview Program developer Brad Rossetti on Twitter. Rossetti revealed that while certain Xbox Insiders may see these changes first, the changes will soon be in effect for all players.

Xbox Insiders in Alpha Skip Ahead & Alpha today we are flighting some new features. Multiplayer in Free-to-play games, Looking 4 Groups and Party Chat on Xbox no longer requires an Xbox Live Gold membership as we flight and test these service changes ahead of general availability
— Brad Rossetti (@WorkWombatman) March 24, 2021

We don’t know exactly when the changes will be made for everyone or exactly how many games will be affected by this. But with high-profile F2P multiplayer titles like Destiny 2 and Apex Legends available to play, Microsoft just made it a lot cheaper for you to have some multiplayer fun with your friends.