Microsoft delays Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price hikes for some subscribers
TL;DR
Microsoft delays Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price hikes for existing subscribers in countries like Germany and South Korea, affecting only new purchases for now. Current subscribers on auto-renewal plans will keep their old prices and get 60 days' notice before any changes.
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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 Germany, Ireland, South 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.
Xbox Game Pass subscribers in Poland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and South Korea have all reported that they’ve received the emails today.
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.