Microsoft has announced its lineup of free games for Xbox Live Gold subscribers in February 2021, as well as announced a price increase for Xbox Live Gold.
Going forward, new Xbox Live Gold pricing will be 1-month for $10.99, 3-months for $29.99, and 6-months for $59.99—a price increase of $1 for 1-month, $5 for 3-months, and $20 for 6-months.
Update 01/23/21 at 12:30 a.m.: Microsoft has reversed its decision to increase the price of Xbox Live Gold, as well as announced that free-to-play games will no longer require an Xbox Live Gold membership to play online. Here is the full message from Microsoft:
“We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of gaming and we failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day. As a result, we have decided not to change Xbox Live Gold pricing.
We’re turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience. For free-to-play games, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox. We are working hard to deliver this change as soon as possible in the coming months.
If you are an Xbox Live Gold member already, you stay at your current price for renewal. New and existing members can continue to enjoy Xbox Live Gold for the same prices they pay today. In the U.S., $9.99 for 1-month, $24.99 for 3-months, $39.99 for 6-months, and $59.99 for retail 12-months.
Thank you.”
Get the full lineup below:
Xbox One
- Available for the whole month – Gears 5 (normally $39.99) – Experience the celebrated campaign and multiplayer, now fully optimized for Xbox Series X|S. With all-out war descending, Kait Diaz breaks away to uncover her connection to the enemy and discovers the true danger to Sera… herself.
- Available for the whole month – Resident Evil (normally $19.99) – It’s the game that defined the genre. In this remastered version, join the special forces team, S.T.A.R.S., and investigate a mysterious mansion on the outskirts of Raccoon City. Stay alert because supplies are scarce, and the living dead are all around.
- From February 16 to March 15 – Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition (normally $14.99) – Discover secrets, dangers, and an array of unique characters in the world of Salt. In this metroidvania-style platformer, a heroine arises out of the aether of fear to help a world on the brink of collapse. Featuring stunning handcrafted pixel art and original soundtrack compositions that bring a visual and auditory wonderland to life.
Xbox 360
- From February 16 to 28 – Lost Planet 2 (normally $19.99) – After 10 years removed from the original title, return to the troubled planet torn apart from the ongoing battle for thermal energy. Play four player co-op and customize your character with an arsenal of weapons and vehicles to pilot.
Xbox
- From February 1 to 15 – Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb (normally $9.99) – It’s time to put on your fedora and help Indy recover one of the most powerful artifacts known to man. In epic, globe-spanning fashion, take on Nazis and the Asian underworld to track down the mysterious Heart of the Dragon before it falls into hostile hands.