Do you get a free Xbox name change every year?

Changing your Xbox gamertag is something many players want to do at some point, whether you want to freshen up your online identity or ditch an old nickname. But can you get a free Xbox name change every year? Here‘s what you need to know.

Can I change my Xbox gamertag for free?

The short answer is yes, you can change your Xbox gamertag for free, but only once. After that initial free change, you‘ll have to pay a fee each time you want to change your gamertag again.

Here are the key details on free and paid Xbox gamertag changes:

• First change free: If it‘s your first time ever changing your gamertag, you can do it for free, no matter if you created the gamertag yourself or if Xbox assigned you a random one initially.

• Subsequent changes paid: After you use your one free change, future gamertag changes cost $9.99 in the US, £7.99 in the UK, or equivalent pricing in other regions.

• Xbox Live Gold not required: You don‘t need an Xbox Live Gold subscription for the free or paid gamertag changes. Both free and paying members can change gamertags.

• Change on console or web: Gamertag changes can be made either on an Xbox One/Series X|S console directly or via the Xbox website.

So in summary, while you can get a free change once, you do not get a free Xbox gamertag change every year or on any regular basis. The free change is a one-time deal.

Why does an Xbox name change cost $10?

Given that changing your gamertag doesn‘t require much work on Microsoft‘s end, some Xbox users have wondered why they need to pay $9.99 each time after the first free change.

Here are some of the main reasons Microsoft charges for gamertag changes beyond the first one:

• Admin costs: There are some administrative costs involved with changing Xbox gaming IDs across Microsoft‘s systems.

• Abuse prevention: The fee helps prevent abuse from users constantly changing their IDs.

• More exclusivity: Paid changes mean gamertags are a bit more exclusive and unique.

• Revenue stream: Of course, paid changes represent a nice revenue stream for Microsoft‘s Xbox gaming division.

So in a nutshell, the fees help limit gamertag abuse, maintain some exclusivity in usernames, cover administrative costs, and bring in added revenue.

Do you lose your Xbox profile if you change gamertag?

One common concern people have about changing their Xbox live gamertag is around losing their gaming profile and progress. Thankfully, when you change your gamertag, your overall account and gaming history remain intact.

Here‘s what happens when you change your Xbox gamertag:

• Profile remains: Your Xbox live account, achievement history, and profile details remain unchanged.

• Friends list unaffected: Your friends list and social connections stay the same.

• Some in-game loss: You may lose progress, stats, and leaderboards in some games, especially older titles.

So in summary, your core Xbox live profile remains fully intact when you change gamertags. The only risk is potential loss of progress in certain games, especially older ones. But your profile, friends, and achievement history are unaffected.

Clever and cool gamertag ideas

If you‘ve decided to use your free Xbox gamertag change, either when first setting up your account or after already playing for a while, you probably want to change it to something cool and catchy.

Here are some tips for coming up with a great Xbox live gamertag:

• Be clever and unique: Choose something distinctive that will stand out from the crowd.

• Reflect your personality: Let your gamertag reflect something about your style, interests, or sense of humor.

• Use word play: Combinations of words that rhyme or have double meanings can work well.

• Try movie quotes: There are lots of recognizable and memorable quotes from popular movies.

• Leverage your name: Try variations on your real first or last name.

• Consider hobbies: Your favorite sports team, music genre, or hobby can provide inspiration.

And some examples of fun, unique Xbox gamertags:

• GamerGirl007
• TheDarkKnight23
• BasketBaller72
• RockstarSam
• DrDestructo
• SarahSmash
• SoccerLegend10

Spend some time brainstorming to think of the perfect gamertag for your personality and gaming style.

How much do Microsoft Points cost?

Up until 2013, Microsoft Points were used as the primary currency on Xbox Live to purchase games, DLC, avatar items and more. Here’s a quick rundown of how Microsoft Points worked:

• In the US, Microsoft Points were available in packs of 400 ($5), 800 ($10), 1600 ($20), 4000 ($50), and 6000 ($70).

• In the UK, packs were available in sizes of 200 (₤2.50), 400 (₤4), 800 (₤7), 2000 (₤16), and 4000 (₤32).

• Other regions had similar pricing in their local currencies.

• The minimum points pack purchased determined how you could spend points, in increments of 400 (US) or 200 (UK).

• 100 MS Points equaled roughly $1.25 or ₤1 in value.

So in the US, some common Points values and cash costs were:

• 400 Points for $5
• 800 Points for $10
• 1600 Points for $20
• 4000 Points for $50

While Microsoft Points were retired in 2013 in favor of real currency, you can still find references to MS Points costs for older Xbox Live content.

Is an Xbox Live subscription worth it?

Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions provide a ton of benefits for your Xbox gaming experience. But are they really worth the ongoing costs?

Here are some key perks you get with an Xbox Live Gold subscription:

• Play online multiplayer games
• Get 2-4 free games each month with Games with Gold
• Exclusive member discounts and deals
• Share benefits across Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S

And with Xbox Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate you also get:

• Access to a huge library of games for one monthly fee
• New Xbox exclusives on release date
• EA Play membership included
• Perks like in-game content and partner offers

The annual costs break down like this:

• Xbox Live Gold: $59.99 per year

• Xbox Game Pass: $9.99 per month, or $120 per year

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: $14.99 per month, or $180 per year

Considering you get free games each month, discounts, online multiplayer access, and a huge game catalog, most gamers find an Xbox subscription very worth it for the price.

What is an OG Xbox gamertag?

In Xbox gaming, you’ll see reference to “OG” gamertags, tags like Killer999, BrainDead, or MasterChief117. What makes a gamertag original gangster?

Here are the key qualities of an OG Xbox live gamertag:

• Older account: Created during the early Xbox Live years, before gamertags started getting numbered suffixes.

• Short and simple: Usually one word with no numbers or special characters. Between 3-7 letters.

• Generic term: Common words or phrases used for titles, not complex name creations.

• Nostalgic: Brings back memories of playing classic titles during Xbox Live‘s early days.

While anyone can theoretically create a basic OG-style gamertag today, they don’t have the same prestige and history as the ones that have been around 15+ years.

These days, with 100+ million Xbox Live members, all the common one-word gamertags are long gone. But you may encounter some classic OG tags still being used in online matches.

Do you need Xbox Live for single player games?

For those focused on solo gaming, an important question is whether you need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to play single player games offline.

The good news is that Xbox Live is not required for:

• Playing any game offline in single player campaign modes
• Accessing Xbox One or Series X|S system features and apps while offline
• Playing Blu-ray discs or streaming video services offline

The only features that do require an active Xbox Live connection are:

• Online multiplayer gaming
• Achievements and gamerscore
• Store access to purchase digital games and content
• Cloud game saves

So if you primarily play solo or offline games, you can skip paying for Xbox Live Gold and just sign up occasionally when needed for specific games.

Why do Xbox gamertags have numbers now?

If you’ve created an Xbox gamertag recently, you may have noticed that all new accounts get a random number added at the end, like RagingGamer6184 or CoolKid8372. Why is this?

The reason modern Xbox gamertags have numbered suffixes is because:

• No name dupes: It prevents duplicate usernames so every gamer can use a unique tag.

• Millions of users: Xbox Live expanded faster than expected, necessitating a numbering system.

• Shorthand tags taken: Most common one or two word gamertags were claimed by early users years ago.

• Reduces name disputes: Numbers help reduce battles over preferred username strings.

In general, the newer your Xbox account, the more likely your gamertag will end with a semi-random 4-6 digit number. It’s simply the system Xbox uses these days to assign unique identifiers with so many members.

Is a 4 letter gamertag rare?

Given the numbering conventions used for new Xbox gamertags, short 4 letter tags without numbers have become quite rare these days.

Here’s an overview of how rare various lengths of Xbox gamertags are now:

• 3 letters – Basically impossible to get. All common dictionary words taken.

• 4 letters – Extremely rare. Most short words/terms all used up years ago.

• 5 letters – Very uncommon. Usually need an obscure word combination.

• 6-7 letters – More possible, but still not common.

• 8+ letters – Most users get these lengths when creating new accounts.

So in summary, yes, snagging a clean 4 letter Xbox gamertag in 2022 without any numbers after it is very rare and the sign of an older account. Anything under 6 letters is tough to get.

But don’t worry too much about short gamertag length. With a creative username, you can stand out even with 8+ letters and numbers in your tag.

Tips for switching to your new Xbox gamertag

Once you’ve changed your Xbox live gamertag, either for free with your initial change or by paying the $9.99 fee, here are some tips to smoothly transition to your new ID:

• Update gamertag everywhere: Change your tag on all platforms that show it, like Microsoft accounts, apps, and social profiles.

• Tell friends your new tag: Let all your Xbox friends lists know about the change so they recognize you.

• Check game progress: Load up your games to make sure all progress and stats carried over properly.

• Change login info: If you used your old tag as part of saved login credentials, update to the new one.

• Search old tag: Occasionally search on your old gamertag to monitor if someone else starts using it.

• Watch for issues: Keep an eye out for odd behavior in games or apps caused by the ID switch.

With a bit of vigilance, you’ll have a smooth transition to your new, likely much cooler, Xbox live gamertag.

Is it worth buying an original Xbox gamertag?

For serious gamers looking to stand out, you may consider purchasing an original Xbox or OG gamertag from someone instead of your standard assigned tag.

There are some pros to buying an OG Xbox gamertag:

• Rare and exclusive: Not many users will have an old 3-4 letter tag.

• Iconic: Owning a short, original tag carries prestige and history.

• Conversation starter: It will get you noticed online and prompt gamer conversations.

But there are also cons to weigh:

• Costly: OG tags can cost $50-$500+ depending on desirability.

• Risk of ban: Gamertags not officially transferred could get banned.

• Limited options: There are only so many old Xbox tags available to buy.

• No personal meaning: A purchased tag likely won’t have personal significance.

Overall, an OG gamertag can be fun and get you attention online. But search carefully if you purchase one from a third party seller and make sure it‘s worth the price.

Can you change your Xbox gamertag for free with Microsoft Rewards?

For avid users of Microsoft Rewards, which lets you earn points for Xbox activities, a common question is whether you can use Rewards points to change your gamertag for free instead of paying the $9.99 fee.

Unfortunately, free Xbox gamertag changes are not one of the Microsoft Reward redemption options currently available.

Here are the ways you can redeem Rewards points:

• Xbox gift cards
• Microsoft gift cards
• Surface devices
• Xbox Game Pass subscriptions
• Entries into sweepstakes

So while Microsoft Rewards are very useful for purchasing Xbox content and hardware, you can’t use Rewards points to directly pay for a gamertag change.

However, you could potentially earn enough Rewards for a gift card to offset the gamertag fee. But there‘s no direct way to pay for a change with your Rewards balance specifically.

Should you change your old Xbox gamertag?

If you’ve had your Xbox live gamertag for many years, you may be on the fence about whether to change it or not. Here are some factors to consider:

Reasons to change your gamertag:

• Your current tag is outdated, childish or embarrassing

• You want to update to a tag that better represents who you are now

• You want to make your gamertag more unique

• Your existing tag no longer reflects your gaming interests

Reasons to keep your gamertag:

• You really like your current tag and want to keep that identity

• You have lots of gaming memories and achievements tied to the tag

• You don’t want to lose any progress or stats in games

• You don’t want to pay $9.99 for a change

Overall, it comes down to your personal preference. If your current tag still resonates with you, keep it. But if you’re eager for a fresh start, changing your Xbox gamertag can be a fun way to update your gaming identity.

Conclusion

Changing your Xbox live gamertag lets you put your own personal stamp on your gaming profile and online identity. While you only get one free change, paying the $9.99 fee opens up the flexibility to modify your ID as often as you’d like.

Just be sure to pick a gamertag you’ll be happy with long-term, as the fees add up if you change it repeatedly. With a little creativity, you can show off your gaming style and personality with the perfect unique tag.