This is your very last chance to ever claim Xbox Games with Gold games

Today is the last day for the free Xbox Games with Gold games for August 2023 to be available. This is the final opportunity for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to claim free games with their subscriptions. After years of rumors, Microsoft will officially abolish Xbox Live Gold and replace it with a new tier of Xbox Game Pass called Xbox Game Pass Core. Some of the benefits of Xbox Live Gold will be transferred to Xbox Game Pass Core, but not all of them.

When Xbox Game Pass Core replaces Xbox Live Gold in September, it will be available for $9.99 per month and will provide subscribers with access to a small selection of games from the Xbox Game Pass library. Xbox Game Pass Core also allows Xbox players to play online, just like Xbox Live Gold. However, unlike Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Game Pass Core does not offer free games to subscribers.

That means today is the last day for Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to ever claim Xbox Games with Gold games for their digital libraries. The games in question are Blue Fire, a 3D platformer with Zelda and Souls-like elements, as well as the racing game Inertial Drift. Zelda and Dark Souls fans should definitely make sure to claim Blue Fire while they still can. Even if you're not a fan of racing games, Inertial Drift is worth a look. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and certainly has its fans.

Xbox Free Games With Gold Games

Longtime Xbox players may be saddened by the end of the Xbox Games with Gold program, but many likely saw it coming. For years, Microsoft has neglected the Xbox Games with Gold program, offering obscure or poorly received games while focusing its efforts on strengthening its Xbox Game Pass subscription service. Given the significant investments Microsoft has made in Xbox Game Pass, it's no surprise that a version of the service eventually replaces Xbox Live Gold.

Since the Xbox Games with Gold games haven't been worthwhile for a long time, fans may not be too upset about the program being discontinued. They can now fully focus on the new Xbox Game Pass games that are added every month and look forward to them in September 2023 and beyond. There are plenty of exciting titles for them to anticipate.