Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Hikes Paused for Existing Subscribers in Select Countries
Microsoft is delaying planned price increases for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions for current members in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Korea, Poland, and India, reversing part of an announcement made last week.
The company confirmed that new subscribers will face the previously announced price hikes, but existing members on auto-recurring plans in the listed countries will continue to renew at their current rates “for now.” Microsoft stated in an email to subscribers that cancellation and repurchase of a plan would incur the new pricing. This move comes as many gamers expressed concern over the substantial 50 percent increase, which would have significantly raised the cost of the popular gaming service.
“At this time, these increases will only affect new purchases and will not affect your current subscription for the market in which you reside, as long as you are on an auto-recurring plan,” Microsoft explained. Kari Perez, head of Xbox communications, added in a statement, “Current subscribers in certain countries will continue renewing at their existing price for now, in line with local requirements. We’ll provide advance notice before price adjustments take effect in these countries.” The change is believed to be related to local regulations governing subscription price adjustments; for example, Irish subscribers will continue to pay €17.99 monthly instead of the proposed €26.99. You can learn more about Xbox Game Pass on the official website.
Previously, Microsoft indicated the updated pricing would begin October 1st for new subscribers and November 4th for current members. Microsoft’s decision highlights the complexities of implementing global pricing strategies and the impact of regional consumer protection laws. The company says existing subscribers in the affected markets will receive at least 60 days’ notice before any price changes are implemented.
Microsoft is holding off on its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price hikes for some existing subscribers in select countries. After announcing a 50 percent price increase to Game Pass Ultimate last week, Microsoft now says this price increase will only currently affect new purchases and not existing subscribers in markets like Austria, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Korea, Poland, and India.
“At this time, these increases will only affect new purchases and will not affect your current subscription for the market in which you reside, as long as you are on an auto-recurring plan,” explains Microsoft in an email that was sent to some Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers overnight. “Should you choose to cancel your plan and repurchase, you will be charged at the new current rate.”
Microsoft has confirmed to The Verge that the email is genuine, and it’s not impacting subscribers in the US or UK. “Our recent Game Pass update remains unchanged. Current subscribers in certain countries will continue renewing at their existing price for now, in line with local requirements. We’ll provide advance notice before price adjustments take effect in these countries,” says Kari Perez, head of Xbox communications, in a statement to The Verge.
The change in these countries is likely related to local regulations on subscription price changes, and it means in Ireland existing subscribers with auto-renew enabled will still be charged at the €17.99 monthly rate, instead of the new €26.99 pricing. Microsoft notes in its email that existing subscribers in these markets will be notified “at least 60 days in advance” of price changes, meaning the changes won’t go into effect for at least two more months.
The halt in price increases in select markets is a change to what Microsoft announced last week. “This updated pricing will go into effect on October 1st for new subscribers, and then at the next billing cycle, likely to be November 4th, for current subscribers,” said Dustin Blackwell, director of gaming and platform communications at Microsoft, in a briefing with The Verge last week.
Update, October 7th: Article updated with comment from Microsoft.
