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[jm89]

Microsoft is increasing its Xbox Series X prices in most countries in August apart from the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. The Xbox maker is also increasing the monthly prices of its Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions for the first time next month, which will see the base Game Pass subscription for console move up to $10.99 a month from $9.99.

“We’ve held on our prices for consoles for many years and have adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market,” says Kari Perez, head of communications for Xbox, in a statement to The Verge.

Xbox Series X console pricing will largely match the price hike Sony announced for the PS5 last year, with the Xbox Series X moving to £479.99 in the UK, €549.99 across most European markets, CAD $649.99 in Canada, and AUD $799.99 in Australia starting August 1st. The Xbox Series S pricing will not be adjusted in any markets, remaining at $249.99.

While Xbox Series X pricing adjustments had been expected after Sony’s move last year, Xbox chief Phil Spencer also hinted in October that pricing for subscriptions wouldn’t hold forever.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for Console pricing will increase starting July 6th. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will move from $14.99 per month to $16.99 (€14.99 / £12.99). The base Xbox Game Pass for Console pricing will also move from $9.99 a month up to $10.99 (€10.99 / £8.99). Microsoft is not changing PC Game Pass pricing, though.

If you’re an existing Game Pass monthly subscriber, then these new recurring prices won’t take effect until August 13th, or September 13th in Germany. New Xbox Game Pass members will see the new prices immediately on July 6th. If you’re subscribed to Xbox Game Pass through a yearly code, the new pricing won’t take effect until you go to renew your subscription.

Most markets will be affected by the Xbox Game Pass price increases, with the exception of some Game Pass console pricing which will remain the same in Norway, Chile, Denmark, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia.

Microsoft hasn’t changed its Xbox Game Pass pricing since launching the subscription in 2017, and the company is keen to stress this isn’t related to its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. “These Game Pass price adjustments are not related to the Activision Blizzard deal, and are intended to match local market conditions,” says Perez.

Microsoft’s Xbox subscription changes follow a general trend in price hikes over the past couple of years for entertainment subscriptions. Netflix raised prices again last year following gradual price hikes in recent years, and Disney Plus and Hulu saw steep price hikes last year, too. Apple Music and Spotify have both increased in price in most markets in recent years.

Nintendo has not yet adjusted its Switch Online subscription service since launching it in 2018, and Sony only just updated its own PlayStation Plus subscriptions last year with new PlayStation Plus Essential, Plus Extra, and Plus Premium subscriptions for PlayStation owners.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/21/23768400/microsoft-xbox-series-x-xbox-game-pass-price-increase

 

[xHunter]

Series X also getting a price hike:

Microsoft is hiking the price of Xbox Series X and Xbox Game Pass

The Xbox price hike follows warnings prices wouldn’t hold forever.

www.theverge.com

 

[BennyBlanco]

PC gamepass too?

 

[tmlDan]

and so it begins

 

[Bond007]

Im good.
Will buy and cancel as needed.


All i can remember is being shocked people were ok paying for XBL back in the day. Here we are now paying for online services. Sony & Nintendo eventually caved. Here we are....

 

[TheBomb]

 

[Nautilus]

Its gonna be gradual, and that in rease is FAAAAR from being the only one.

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

Interesting that the base rose by 1$ while the ultimate by 2$. PC Game Pass I presume also by 1$?

 

[shoplifter]

I'll worry about it in three years i guess

 

[XesqueVara]

Interesting that the base rose by 1$ while the ultimate by 2$. PC Game Pass I presume also by 1$?

PC GP stays the same.

 

[Beer Baelly]

 

[Pelta88]

Imagine what those prices will be like when there's no competition.

 

[Mr Moose]

Series X also getting a price hike:

Microsoft is hiking the price of Xbox Series X and Xbox Game Pass

The Xbox price hike follows warnings prices wouldn’t hold forever.

www.theverge.com

Something something anti-consumer.

 

[feynoob]

 

[onnextflix5]

Lol no one saw this coming, expect a bigger price hike if the acti deal goes through.

 

[Rendered Tangent]

It's inevitable with Starfield on the horizon.

They couldn't do it too near to it's release so this puts some distance between it and the release date.

 

[Alebrije]

13% more for Ultimate !!!?

 

[GHG]

The inevitable.

 

[harry mason 1989]

Very anti customers move
Arrogant M$ strike again

 

[Poltz]

€550 for a Series X in Europe, LOL.

 

[Tsaki]

Just in time for the $399 PS5 "slim".

 

[Setsuna Mudou]

Come on, what's a little 10% increase between friends right?
Heard Microsoft was in financial troubles, have to turn of the AC to save on energy bills and all, so everyone just has to chip in a bit more... and then more... more...... more......... more................

 

[Luigi Mario]

Just a month before Starfield comes out.

 

[FalsettoVibe]

Capitalize on that Starfield hype.

 

[feynoob]

13% more for Ultimate !!!?

It's a piss off increase. These sleeze bags are annoying as fk.

 

[RCU005]

And people keep believing that Pro versions will exist.
Truly, this has been the worst generation in many ways.

 

[R6Rider]

 

[Sephimoth]

Just in time for Starfield.

EDIT: Post below, exact same time

 

[Pasta la Vista]

Just in time for Starfield, lol. They are gonna milk the ever living shit out of that teet, just the way Todd Howard likes it. Bethesda and MS are a match made in hell.

 

[harry mason 1989]

Capitalize on that Starfield hype.

I agree
They know lots of people will subscribe to play the game

 

[legacy24]

except another one IF the Activision deal gets done

 

[graywolf323]

Its gonna be gradual, and that in rease is FAAAAR from being the only one.

yep, very much going to be the Netflix model in price raises I bet

edit: also gotta love the Series X price hike after the major PR they had slamming PlayStation for doing the exact same thing months ago

 

[Negotiator101]

and so it begins

And so what begins? Inflation why make silly comments?

 

[Mr Hyde]

Good guy MS.

 

[Elios83]

And Xbox Series X price as well, just in time for Starfield.

 

[feynoob]

I agree
They know lots of people will subscribe to play the game

With 1$ gamepass being no more, they want to squeeze as much money as they can.

 

[Gaelyon]

10% more for having Diablo IV and all ABK games day one is noth... Oh wait.

 

[DryvBy]

Someone's gotta pay for these lawyers to lose the merging case.

 

[R6Rider]

Increasing the price of first party titles, Game Pass, and the console all so close together.

 

[nikolino840]

They have missed the opportunity to rise the price in june (the service was up on june 2017)

 

[feynoob]

And so what begins? Inflation why make silly comments?

Fuck inflation. They gave us shit drops and they' expect to raise the price like that.

 

[Facism]

They just finding the 3 Billy that they'll owe Activision soon

 

[Iced Arcade]

Imagine what those prices will be like when there's no competition.

100% absolutely. gamers better hope both Sony and XBOX remain in the space.

 

[Dr. Suchong]

Excellent.
Sensible policies for a happier Britain.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Inflation

Amazing.

 

[veterangamerUK]

The only generation where consoles have increased in price 3 years in. And still barely any true next gen games. The generation that keeps on giving

 

[Sweden85]

what did I say?

Lying Phil is working hard again, wonder what his excuses are this time

 

[Bernardougf]

They have 3 billions to account for ...

 

[harry mason 1989]

Someone's gotta pay for these lawyers to lose the merging case.

Yeah
I think it's getting obvious the deal will be dead on July 18

 

[Mr Moose]

Game Pass Won't Increase in Price Even After ABK Merger, Says Microsoft

Microsoft lawyers have noted in their memorandum defense against the FTC that Game Pass won't increase in price even after the ABK merger.

wccftech.com

While it could be simply a statement for the judge's benefit, it's hard to imagine Microsoft making such promises and then increasing the Game Pass pricing immediately if it gets the merger through. The price is likely to stay in place, at least for a while.

Jun 19, 2023 01:00 PM EDT
Article aged like milk.