- Microsoft has delayed its Xbox Game Pass Price -hiking for some users
- The move only affects the current subscribers in certain countries
- Everyone else will have to pay the new, higher prices
Microsoft recently announced a massive overhaul of its Xbox Game Pass subscription service along with a number of painful price increases, and to say that these cost increases fell down like a main balloon would be an understatement. The shoulder war was surprising, and Microsoft has just revealed that afterwards it will a little on the changes – but maybe not for the reason you might expect.
We say ‘backpedaling a bit’ because vice versa is limited in scope, despite Microsoft defending his decision. Microsoft pauses the price increases for some users in selected countries, which means lots of other players will have to pay the new, higher prices.
Specifically, Microsoft says that price increases will only affect new subscribers in countries such as Germany, India, Ireland, Poland and South Korea. Users in the nations already members of the Xbox Game Pass will be able to continue to pay the old prices at least temporarily. In Ireland, for example, the Xbox Game Pass stays ultimate € 17.99 a month for existing users instead of the new price of € 26.99. It is according to The Verge that cited social media posts from users in these countries.
In an email sent to affected subscribers, Microsoft said: “At this point, these climbs will only affect new purchases and will not affect your current subscription to the market where you are resident as long as you are in an automatic recurring plan. If you have to cancel your plan and repurchase, you will be charged to the new power rate.”
The most important phrase in this e email is “at this time” which suggests that Microsoft is temporarily holding fire, perhaps to let the anger die down. However, the implication is that costs will return to the original plan at some point in the future.
A temporary relief
The Verge confirmed with the Microsoft that the E email was real, with Microsoft commenting that “current subscribers in some countries will continue to renew at their existing price for now, in line with local requirements.” The line of “local requirements” may indicate that regulations played a role in the decision rather than any gamer stroke.
To add to this mood is the fact that price changes are still immediately entered into in many other places, including the US and the UK. If the user’s dissatisfaction was the main reason for the change, you can expect the roll -out to break everywhere.
Microsoft has also stated that it will give users 60 days notice before further changes are implemented. It should give you time to cancel your subscription if you are concerned about the new, higher prices that come into force.
If you live in one of the countries where Microsoft has hit the pause button, you have a temporary postponement on the monthly costs you have to pay for Xbox Game Pass. If you live somewhere else, however, you are out of luck – even if thanks to Gamestop there is still a way to sign up at the old price. For now, it might be your best effort.
Follow Techradar on Google News and Add us as a preferred source To get our expert news, reviews and meaning in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can too Follow Techradar at Tiktok For news, reviews, unboxings in video form and get regular updates from us at WhatsApp also.
