author: Bart Swiatek
Xbox Network Replaces Xbox Live
Microsoft has decided to change the name of the Xbox Live platform. From now on it will be known as Xbox Network, which should make it easier for customers to distinguish it from the Xbox Live Gold service.
IN A NUTSHELL:
- Microsoft has renamed the Xbox Live platform to Xbox Network;
- The name change is to make it easier to distinguish the network itself and the services offered within it;
- Nothing changes with regard to the paid Xbox Live Gold subscription.
Microsoft has decided to rename the Xbox Live platform, which from now on will be known as Xbox Network (via PCGamer). The move is meant to make it easier to distinguish between the Xbox ecosystem itself and the Xbox Live Gold subscription.
"'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," says Mirosoft's representative.
Interestingly, the first hints of the impending name change came in August 2020, when Microsoft updated its terms of service agreement to refer to Xbox Live as the "Xbox Network Service." The announcement that was made public at the time was very similar to the one that appeared today, and was understood as a denial of rumors of a possible rebrand.
It's worth noting that the name change won't affect the availability and nature of the services on offer in any way, most notably the Xbox Live Gold subscription, which Xbox owners have to pay to play online games (and as part of which they receive a number of titles to play each month).
Interestingly, in September last year a similar decision was made by Electronic Arts, which renamed the Origin app to EA Desktop App. Even earlier, in August 2020, Origin Access (on PCs) and EA Access (on consoles) subscriptions cwere unified as EA Play.
Xbox Live name change - reactions of fans
Xbox fans also reacted to Microsoft's decision - there is no shortage of humorous comments, but some of them also express regret that Xbox Live will cease to exist.
