While the change may disappoint those who enjoyed the frequent additions to Games with Gold’s catalog, it appears to be a strategic move to encourage users to opt for an Ultimate subscription, which offers a wider selection of games (including day-one releases), cloud gaming, and an EA Play membership. For users who prefer Sony hardware, PlayStation Plus Essential, which still provides monthly bonus games, may be more appealing.
It is worth noting that Sony recently removed the PlayStation Plus Collection, meaning that players will need to pay to access some of the best games from the PS4 era, unless they obtained them through other promotions. While Microsoft’s strategy is not a direct imitation of Sony’s approach (mainly focusing on showcasing first-party releases), it does offer a rough equivalent for players seeking an instant library of games.