Xbox owners can now access free-to-play games without an online subscription

By Giovanni Colantonio April 21, 2021

Microsoft has made online play free to all for a list of multiplayer titles, including Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone. Xbox owners no longer need to have an Xbox Live subscription to play free-to-play titles online.

In January, Microsoft announced that it would be raising the price of Xbox Live Gold. That drew immediate backlash from fans, causing Microsoft to backpedal. In reversing the decision, the company announced that it plans to make free-to-play online games available to play even without an Xbox Live membership.

Now Microsoft has made good on that promise by releasing a list of 50 games that can be played online for free as of today. In addition to Fortnite and Warzone, the list includes popular games like Destiny 2, Warframe, and Roblox. Players can go to the Microsoft Store to check which games require Xbox Live and which don’t.

Microsoft says that the list of supported games will grow as more free-to-play games launch on Microsoft platforms.

As part of the change, Microsoft will unlock its Looking for Group feature in an April system update according to an FAQ page. Players will still need Xbox Live to access paid game modes in free-to-play games. Free to Play weekends also remain exclusive to online subscribers.

The strategic pivot is in line with how Microsoft’s competitors handle free-to-play games. Nintendo Switch owners can play games like Fortnite without a Nintendo Online membership. The same goes for Sony, which doesn’t require PlayStation owners to have a PS Plus subscription to play certain online games.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Giovanni Colantonio

Section Editor, Gaming

Giovanni is a writer and video producer focusing on happenings in the video game industry. He has contributed stories to…

Gaming

The best games on Xbox Game Pass for right now (April 2024)

As the Xbox Game Pass program has grown, so has our list of the best games on Xbox Game Pass. After the launch of the Xbox Series X, Microsoft has doubled down on Game Pass, now offering well over 350 games on the console alone. To help you through option paralysis, we rounded up the top games on Microsoft's subscription platform.

Many titles are available on Xbox and PC, and some even have cross-save support. Most of the games are available for streaming on mobile, too, as long as you have Game Pass Ultimate. The Game Pass library is also constantly changing, so check out our monthly guide for addition and removal announcements.

Gaming

Xbox Game Pass loses some horror greats, but gains a kid-friendly racing game

A custom car built drives around Lego 2K Drive.

We've learned what games will come to Xbox Game Pass over the first half of this April, and leading the batch is Lego 2K Drive, a Lego racing game that's a solid alternative to the Forza Horizon games that are also available on Microsoft's subscription service.

Lego 2K Drive was released in May 2023 and is an enjoyable racing game where players can build their own Lego vehicles and race throughout several open worlds. It found the middle ground between the likes of Mario Kart and Forza Horizon and thrives in that space, even if the microtransactions can be a little aggressive for a game aimed at children. Playground Games has not yet confirmed if another Forza Horizon game is in the works at this time, so Xbox fans can play this game to fill that void until a new one is announced.

Gaming

PS Plus Extra subscribers can try two of the month’s biggest PS5 games for free

The main character of Tales of Kenzera: Zau stands with two elemental items.

Both Dave the Diver and Tales of Kenzera: ZAU will launch for PlayStation 5 this month, and both will included in PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra's Game Catalog from day one.

Dave the Diver will be the first to be added, as its PS5 port launches on April 16. Dave the Diver was a surprise hit when it was released for PC in 2023, standing out as a charming game where players go diving for the seafood they then serve in their sushi restaurant. While it was controversially nominated for best indie at The Game Awards despite being developed by Nexon studio Mintrocket, it's still a fantastic game and well worth your time when it finally launches on PS5 in a couple of weeks.