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Microsoft has canceled its controversial Xbox Live price increase. The company on Friday announced a price hike that would have doubled the cost of an annual subscription to the service, which is required to play games online on Xbox consoles, to $ 120 for many users. Now, however, Microsoft says the price will stay the same.
Beyond that, Microsoft has decided to bring Xbox Live in line with Sony and Nintendo’s online services by removing the subscription requirement for free games. Popular free titles like Fortnite are playable on PlayStation consoles and Nintendo Switch without an online subscription, but you still need them for Xbox consoles; Microsoft says it is “working hard to make this change as quickly as possible in the coming months.”
Here’s Microsoft’s full statement, which just came out as a blog post update:
We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of the game and we have failed to meet the expectations of the players who rely on it every day. As a result, we have decided not to change the Xbox Live Gold pricing.
We’re turning this moment into an opportunity to make Xbox Live more in line with how we see the gamer at the center of their experience. For free games, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play these games on Xbox. We are working hard to make this change as quickly as possible in the coming months.
If you’re already an Xbox Live Gold member, you stay at your 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 at retail.
Thank you.
In recent years, Microsoft has focused on Xbox Game Pass, which has an Ultimate tier that includes access to Xbox Live Gold. While Game Pass provides great value for many players, increases in the price of gold are an attempt to get people to pay more for the service.
It’s no surprise that the initial announcement was so poorly received, but Microsoft’s reversal is good news for Xbox Live Gold subscribers who aren’t interested in Xbox Game Pass, and even better news for those who aren’t. people who only use Xbox Live Gold to play for free. -to play games.
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