Earning Xbox Avatar Awards: Xbox Live Requirements

You do NOT need an Xbox Live Gold (now Game Pass Core) subscription to earn some Avatar Awards. The requirement depends on the award source.

Earnable WITHOUT Xbox Live Gold (Free / Silver)

• Xbox App / Mobile App Quests: "Watch a trailer," "Read an article," "Complete a survey" in the Xbox mobile app or Game Bar on PC.
• Avatar App Activities: Customizing your avatar, taking photos, visiting the Avatar Editor.
• Free-to-Play Game Achievements: Some F2P games (e.g., Fortnite, Apex, Warzone) award Avatar items for in-game milestones. No Gold needed for F2P online play.
• Promotional Codes: Redeem codes from marketing emails, events, social media.

REQUIRES Xbox Live Gold / Game Pass Core

• Paid Game Achievements: Unlocking an achievement in a game that requires Gold for multiplayer (most paid games) often grants an Avatar Award. Since you need Gold to earn the achievement online, you effectively need Gold for the award.
• Multiplayer-Specific Awards: "Win 10 matches in Halo 5" → Avatar helmet. Requires Gold to play the matches.
• Avatar Marketplace Purchases: Buying premium items with real money (no sub needed to buy, but need account).

Summary

Microsoft Points are retired (2013). All purchases use local currency via Microsoft Account balance or credit card.