Microsoft renamed Xbox Live to “Xbox Network”

Microsoft is currently in the process of renaming the Xbox Live service to the “Xbox network.” Mentioning of this began to appear on Xbox consoles among many beta test participants, with videos and screenshots being suggested to be uploaded to the “Xbox network” instead of Xbox Live. Microsoft has now confirmed the name change.

The ‘Xbox network’ refers to the underlying Xbox online service that has been updated in the Microsoft Services Agreement,” a Microsoft spokesman told The Verge in a statement. “The upgrade from Xbox Live to Xbox Network is intended to differentiate the basic service from the Xbox Live Gold subscription. “

Microsoft has used the Xbox Live branding to denote its core Xbox service since its initial launch 18 years ago. Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson, was known as “Xbox Live Major Nelson” for many years, but now he calls himself “Xbox Live Major Nelson.”

Hints of a name change emerged back in August after Microsoft updated its Agreement for the Use of Services. At the time, the company said it was not rebranding the service and had no plans to discontinue Xbox Live Gold. Instead, Microsoft announced a price hike for its Xbox Live Gold subscription, which soon had to cancel.

Microsoft now plans to remove the mandatory Xbox Live Gold subscription requirement for shareware games on its consoles in the coming months. As a result, games like Fortnite will no longer require Microsoft’s monthly fee, but this change will still not clear when exactly this change will take effect.