On Friday, Microsoft announced a price increase doubling the cost of the Xbox Live annual subscription service, causing a wave of controversy among Xbox players across the country.
Microsoft has now stepped back in its announcement and released a full statement in an updated blog post, expressing how they “messed up” and thanks fans for keeping them in line.
We screwed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of the game and we don’t meet the expectations of the players who rely on it every day. As a result, we decided not to change the price of Xbox Live Gold.
We are turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience. For free games, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to play on Xbox. We are working hard to deliver this change as quickly as possible in the coming months.
If you are already an Xbox Live Gold member, you maintain the current renewal price. New and existing members can continue to enjoy Xbox Live Gold for the same prices they pay today. In the US, $ 9.99 for 1 month, $ 24.99 for 3 months, $ 39.99 for 6 months and $ 59.99 for 12 months retail.
Thanks.
For now, prices will remain the same, as Microsoft has removed a page from its competitors’ Sony and Nintendo online services, discarding the subscription requirement for free games. Popular free games like Fortnite can be played on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation without a subscription, but not on Xbox without one.
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