To celebrate the Xbox Summer Sale, batches of free gift cards are being handed out to various users. There are reports of people randomly being selected to receive them, so there doesn't appear to be any specific criteria to be picked. These, combined with the plethora of discounts currently in the Microsoft Store, are going to help bulk up a lot of players' gaming libraries.
This type of promotional stunt usually coincides with a big sale, so it's no surprise people are suddenly receiving them. The gift cards are in increments of £4 and £8 and have only been reported in the UK for now. However, it typically extends over into the US and Canada after a couple of days, so users will want to keep checking for a message from Xbox.
The return of the Microsoft Ultimate Game Sale means massive discounts as well. A perfect opportunity to spend those gift cards, should a user be lucky enough to snag one. The sale offers up to 80% off select Xbox games, but PC gamers can get in on the deal too, with games like Halo Wars 2: Complete Edition being available at a reduced price. The deals also extend beyond games, with discounts on gaming accessories and PCs.
These sales will keep chugging until early August, which means it's best to act quickly while it's still available. By then, the first batch of the August 2021 Games With Gold should be available. Last month's selection came as a disappointment to users but, hopefully, this month will be better. If any of the games on the Xbox Games With Gold Wish List make the cut, it will certainly help to capture more interest.
Those who enjoy this service may have to cope with it going away one day, as Microsoft plans to shut down Xbox Live Gold at some point in the future. This information comes from a reputable insider, who has made this claim more than once. According to the source, Microsoft is attempting to reach a certain number of Xbox Game Pass subscribers before pulling the plug. That being said, the number of subscribers is estimated at around 40-50 million subscribers, which could take years.
For those that are already subscribers, there are a few games leaving Xbox Game Pass in late July. It Lurks Below, The Touryst, and UnderMine will be among the games leaving the service on July 31. However, a fresh batch of games has been added to Xbox Game Pass to make up for the loss and more will be added next month. The games leaving the service will also be available for a 20% discount for Game Pass subscribers. Apply any of those surprise gift cards that might arrive and they're basically free.
Source: Pure Xbox