Microsoft has confirmed that playing Xbox Live online games on Windows 10 will be free on PCs and smartphones. This is similar to how the older Games for Windows Live service has set up multiplayer gaming for many years.
Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb, the head of programming for Xbox Live at Microsoft, used his Twitter account to tell a concerned fan, "Not charging. Xbox Live Gold will not be required for online multiplayer gaming using our service on Windows 10 PCs and Phones."
Many long time PC gamers may remember that back in 2007, Microsoft did make players subscribe to Xbox Live Gold to play games online that used its Games for Windows Live service, along with cross-platform gaming if a PC game had an Xbox 360 counterpart. However, PC gamers balked at that option, since they were used to playing nearly all online games for free. Microsoft revered course and dumped all online muliplayer fees for Games for Windows Live in 2008.
You can learn more about what Microsoft has planned for Windows 10 in terms of PC gaming from our recent GDC 2015 coverage.
Source: Major Nelson (Twitter)