On Friday, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced a set of price increases for its online game service Xbox Live Gold, which reversed hours later, after a wave of criticism.
The IT giant originally announced that Gold would cost $ 1 more for a month-long membership, raising its cost to $ 10.99. The three-month subscription was set at $ 29.99 (previously $ 24.99). The longest available term currently, six months, would have increased to $ 59.99 (previously $ 39.99). Microsoft no longer offers the option of a year.
There would be no immediate price changes for Gold subscribers with existing six or 12 month memberships.
In its original announcement about price increases, Microsoft pointed out that, in many of its markets, these rates have not changed in years.
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There was considerable speculation that Microsoft’s move was an attempt to convince subscribers to upgrade to the top level of online gaming, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. This grants access to more than 100 games, gives exclusive discounts and offers other advantages, in addition to the benefits of Gold membership. Microsoft should keep the Ultimate price unchanged at $ 14.99 a month.
The outcry over price increases was rapid and, at times, noisy. In response, just before midnight ET on Friday, Microsoft canceled the decision in an edition of its original announcement, writing that “We made a mistake today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of the games and we are unable to live up to the expectations of the players who rely on it every day “.
In addition to leaving Gold’s price unchanged at the end, Microsoft said that free-to-play titles will be accessible on Xbox without a Gold subscription, as previously required. He said he hopes to implement this change in the coming months.