Microsoft is raising prices for its Xbox Live Gold subscription soon. The software giant has started to notify existing Xbox Live Gold members of changes in certain markets and will see the price rise by one dollar to $ 10.99 a month in the United States and $ 5 for a three-month subscription.
Twelve- and six-month prices are also rising, but the increase will not affect existing subscribers here. Three months will now cost $ 29.99, with six months at $ 59.99. Microsoft is also allowing Xbox Live Gold members to convert the remaining Gold time into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (up to 36 months). The conversion means that if you have 11 months of Xbox Live Gold remaining in your account, you can upgrade to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and convert it to 11 months of Ultimate at no extra charge.
Unless you subscribe to Xbox Live Gold, it means the price of the service is going from $ 60 a year to $ 120. Microsoft quietly removed its 12-month option last year, which cost $ 60. Sony still offers 12 months of PlayStation Plus for $ 60, and it is unclear what Microsoft will offer to justify the sudden price jump. Either way, it looks like the change was designed to push Xbox Live subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which offers Xbox Live Gold access, xCloud streaming and access to over 100 games.
Many hoped, and hoped, that Microsoft would drop the expenses of Xbox Live entirely or at least allow free games to access multiplayer features on Xbox consoles for free. That is clearly not the case now, and for many it marks the first increase in the price of Xbox Live Gold in years. “In many markets, the price of Xbox Live Gold has not changed for years, and in some markets, it has not changed for more than 10 years,” says the Xbox Live Gold team.
The changes will not take effect until at least 45 days after Xbox Live subscribers receive a message from Microsoft notifying them of price increases. Some regions have already started receiving notifications, but most have not. “If you are in a region where prices are being adjusted, you will receive an email and notification from the message center next month, informing you of the new prices for your membership,” says Microsoft.
Update, January 22 at 10 am ET: Updated with more information on prices.