Microsoft is changing how Xbox Live’s Games with Gold initiative works. Starting in June, when the service launches on the Xbox One, free games downloaded through the program will become inaccessible if you deactivate Xbox Live Gold.
At the present, when you download a game, it stays on your hard drive and remains accessible forever. With the new system, you’ll essentially be renting games those games—they’ll only work for as long as you have an Xbox Live Gold subscription.
The program will work identically to Sony’s PlayStation plus program.
It should be noted that the program will work the same as it does now on the Xbox 360—games you download will remain on your hard drive for as long as you don’t delete them. The changes are only set to take effect on the Xbox One.
Announced today along with the Xbox-sans-Kinect news, the new version of Games with Gold will see the addition of Dark Souls, Charlie Murder, and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition as free games for the 360 in June. Meanwhile, the Xbox One will get Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, and Halo: Spartan Assault.
