RIP, Xbox Live Is No More (2002-2021)
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Nearly 20 years after it was unveiled, Microsoft officially retired the name Xbox Live, according to a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to The Verge.
Though the online service will live on, it now will be called Xbox network, to distinguish the underlying online network from the subscription service.
“‘Xbox network’ refers to the underlying Xbox online service, which was updated in the Microsoft Services Agreement. The update from ‘Xbox Live’ to ‘Xbox network’ is intended to distinguish the underlying service from Xbox Live Gold memberships.”
Microsoft spokesperson to The Verge.
This subtle change was first noticed by Xbox users who logged into their Xbox account and discovered the new branding. When uploading a screenshot, some users noticed that the interface said Xbox network where it used to say Xbox Live.
The name also was changed in a few menu items on the Xbox Live dashboard. Instead of being able to view clips stored on Xbox Live, users now could view them on the Xbox network.
The name also was changed in a few menu items on the Xbox Live dashboard. Instead of being able to view clips stored on Xbox Live, users now could view them on the Xbox network.
The Xbox Live subscription service launched in 2002 and allowed Xbox owners to play Xbox games online. The service launched with nine titles to entice people to signup for the service.
Xbox Live has been replaced by Xbox Games Pass Ultimate which includes online gameplay and adds on-demand games.
Much like Spotify, Xbox Games Pass provides users with access to a growing library of games and lets them pick and choose the games they want to play.
