The start of a new console generation usually comes with a few changes, but this is a pretty major overhaul. Xbox Live, which has been the name of every Xbox console’s online service, ever since the beginning back in 2001 will be no more. Following a beta dashboard update for the Xbox Series X|S, in which every instance of “Xbox Live” had been changed to the “Xbox Network”, news outlet The Verge reached out to the company for clarification. Microsoft confirmed the name change to The Verge, stating that the change intends to differentiate the general online features of Xbox systems from its Xbox Live Gold memberships.

“’Xbox network’ refers to the underlying Xbox online service, which was updated in the Microsoft Services Agreement,” says a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to The Verge. “The update from ‘Xbox Live’ to ‘Xbox network’ is intended to distinguish the underlying service from Xbox Live Gold memberships.”

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[AmandaRose]

Seems like a rather pointless change to me.

 

[Arecaidian Fox]

Oh my. That's different. I'm honestly not sure how to feel lol.

EDIT: I guess the indifference I feel says it all. Yeah, this is kinda unnecessary.

 

[Chary]

Maybe if people will get mad enough they’ll walk it back like they did the Xbox Live Gold price hike lol.

 

[K3Nv2]

Xbox Hackusifyoucan Network

 

[paulttt]

Definitely a change, for the sake of it. No logic to this at all. I'll bet someone got paid a shit ton of money to come up with that too.

 

[Crazynoob458]

hmm i kinda like the new name

 

[Deleted User]

i'm not a fan of this new name, xbox live had it's own class to it, xbox network just sounds like a bootleg nintendo network/playstation network and just has no soul

 

[Flame]

why do companies do stuff for the doing of stuff?

 

[Julie_Pilgrim]

Ok? I really don't feel anything about this

 

[gnmmarechal]

Such a boring and pointless change.

 

[VashTS]

so now i have xbox network live gold? so confused. i'll go play on my *peeks a machine* XBAWKS.

 

[MikaDubbz]

I see no reason to change the name at this point. I guess to any noob completely unfamiliar with Xbox or gaming in general, 'Live' might not come across as a title that implies online gameplay. Conversely, yeah, Xbox network is very clear that it's about online gaming even to the most oblivious person.

I think it's a needless and dumb change to be making, especially this late in the game, but from the perspective of Xbox potentially being around for many decades to come, it's probably a change that should be made at some point, at least if the goal is to make everything as straightforward as possible for anyone and everyone. So I guess I get it, but I still say it's dumb to make the change to begin with.

 

[matpower]

I never gave it much thought, but Xbox Live was the last living brand from the Microsoft Live era, damn.

 

[Lunar]

I've been using Xbox Live for so many years now that this isn't gonna sound normal to me. Both this and Uplay had pointless name changes but this hurts a lot more.

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

Sounds like a tv station... Rated X

 

[Deleted User]

I've been using Xbox Live for so many years now that this isn't gonna sound normal to me. Both this and Uplay had pointless name changes but this hurts a lot more.

uplay is a better name than ubisoft connect, rolls off the tongue better

 

[smallissue]

Now the 12 year olds on xbox live will evaporate because xbox live doesn't exsist anymore

 

[godreborn]

Not like I'll change what I call it. I still call Sen psn.

 

[Silent_Gunner]

Seems like a rather pointless change to me.

My guess is Microsoft wants to promote movies, TV shows, and other services on the Xbox brand...as if they didn't do enough of that already.