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[dragonyeuw]

my face when I saw the change on 1 oct

My reaction would have been

Fuuuuuuuuck that.

 

[Magic Carpet]

What's that a price of a coffee?

used to be 2 diet Dr. Peppers and a package of little debbie donuts.
now it's one lunch at Mcdonalds.

 

[Sooner]

The least proactive and most reactive company ever. Hilarious.

The goal of this was the fact that gave up on getting new Xbox players, so they are in "bleed the loyalists as much as possible" mode. Of course, the mass canceling going on, made them react (as always).

So they are doing this to salvage what they can for the suckers remaining.

At least I never have to listen to the BS argument, "oh I only subscribe for a month to play, then immediately cancel until the next game" argument. Microsoft demands the last sheep set their subscription to "recurring" or else there will be hell to pay.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Well that's going to attract a lot of new subscribers, obviously, now it's a 2 tier system.

 

[Laptop1991]

LOL, yep i am, i can't afford Xbox GP now, only PC.

 

[mckmas8808]

The least proactive and most reactive company ever. Hilarious.

The goal of this was the fact that gave up on getting new Xbox players, so they are in "bleed the loyalists as much as possible" mode. Of course, the mass canceling going on, made them react (as always).

So they are doing this to salvage what they can for the suckers remaining.

At least I never have to listen to the BS argument, "oh I only subscribe for a month to play, then immediately cancel until the next game" argument. Microsoft demands the last sheep set their subscription to "recurring" or else there will be hell to pay.

Forcing subscribers to be "recurring" isn't a good answer either lol. Who does MS think they are fooling? No sub service over the price of $20 should make "recurring" payments a mandatory thing.

 

[NickFire]

Sounds like someone is panicking about the need to call the next COD record breaking and is desperate to preserve engagement metrics a little longer.

 

[Skifi28]

It's always nice when we need a spreadsheet to make sense of the new pricing. Maybe add some helpful arrows too.

 

[DeepEnigma]

LOL, yep i am, i can't afford Xbox GP now, only PC.

PC > All
Steam > WinStore (LMAO)

Win/Win

 

[dragonyeuw]

Forcing subscribers to be "recurring" isn't a good answer either lol. Who does MS think they are fooling? No sub service over the price of $20 should make "recurring" payments a mandatory thing.

I would tell people at this point, just comb through the GPU catalogue, wishlist any games you want to play, and wait for a sale. Exercise a *wee* bit of patience.... I can safely bet you're gonna end up spending much less than $360 a year, and the games are in your account instead of dependent on your perpetual subscription ( and if you have access to other consoles and/or PC, even better to do it there. I'd be very weary of locking up too much money in the Xbox ecosystem right now).

 

[DragonNCM]

My GP ultimate is in Turkey & earlier this week charging price was 799TL from 309TL & my acc is on auto charging.
It charged me 309TL same as last month & plan for next month is 309TL.

 

[Bridges]

This gotta be some world record in bad marketing and PR or something.

Still not as bad as when they announced they were doubling the price of Xbox Live Gold and then backtracked in less than a week

 

[KungFucius]

I already got an email from Microsoft. PC gamepass goin up for me.
Starting November 4,2025 I will be charged $16.49 plus applicable taxes for PC Gamepass.
It went from
11.99 to 16.49
and extra $4.50 more each month.

I saw the price increase when I cancelled. It said renewing for 29.99 next year immediately after the announcement.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

Even if it's legit....honestly the damage is done at this point. This company has burned so much goodwill in the span of a few months, let alone the course of this generation. There is no reason for any sane customer to place faith in their business decisions when it comes to console gaming.

Not to mention, given how quiet this walk-back (I'm seeing some people say it's more in compliance with some EU laws, not necessarily a walk-back) is, the dominating message is still going to be the perception of a flat price increase across the board for most or all Game Pass customers. Any changes from the announcement regarding it, won't affect the price increases on the console hardware itself, or Costco getting rid of carrying Xbox hardware, or Sam's Club putting Xbox stuff on clearance, or some Walmart stores now using the Xbox space for Nintendo & PlayStation software instead.

The prevailing narrative now at the mainstream level (not just on enthusiasts forums like this) is that Xbox is a dying brand on the verge of death, in terms of gaming hardware and being a platform holder. A quiet renege on the Game Pass price increases for some customers doesn't change that perception. It never could.

 

[Negotiator101]

It's always nice when we need a spreadsheet to make sense of the new pricing. Maybe add some helpful arrows too.

For you?

 

[Goalus]

I pay €14.99 for Ultimate. Next month as well.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

My GP ultimate is in Turkey & earlier this week charging price was 799TL from 309TL & my acc is on auto charging.
It charged me 309TL same as last month & plan for next month is 309TL.

When is the one for next month due? Because the change doesn't happen until after 4 november.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Warren got a response from MS:

Microsoft has confirmed to The Verge that the email is genuine, and it's not impacting subscribers in the US or UK. "Our recent Game Pass update remains unchanged. Current subscribers in certain countries will continue renewing at their existing price for now, in line with local requirements. We'll provide advance notice before price adjustments take effect in these countries," says Kari Perez, head of Xbox communications, in a statement to The Verge.

 

[RAIDEN1]

Warren got a response from MS:

"For now..." brace for impact because this is just a staggered release

 

[DeepEnigma]

Warren got a response from MS:

 

[Arachnid]

"Please stop cancelling"

 

[Topher]

Warren got a response from MS:

The price hike is only "delayed"? And I thought Sony sucked at PR

 

[Panajev2001a]

A little back tracking maybe?

Mmmmh not sure and they are going about it in a kind of "we would have gotten away with it if it were not for…" odd sounding way…

In other news, their copilot powered marketing geniuses instead of telling me that GPU increased to 26 € per month (setting aside the fact that before subbing to it for years I did change the country to the UK, conversion fun till mid 2026 where my account page stated the next charge would be) they sent me a message telling me that they would charge me over 320 € next month (again, setting aside that I do not pay for a non existent 12 months subscription).

Translation:

Thank you for subscribing to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. We are planning to update our prices to adapt to changing market conditions. This price change allows us to continue to offer you even more value and great titles to live the best gaming experience. Starting from November 4, 2025, you will be charged €323.99 plus any applicable taxes on each recurrence period, unless cancelled up to two days before the next scheduled payment date. You can manage your subscription, payment methods or cancel the subscription in your Microsoft account here.

Here is your current plan:

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

The price of your subscription will change from €215.99 to €323.99.

[…]

I wonder how many received this kind of BS scary message and were reminded to cancel the sub or to stop the recurring billing option…

At this point I am not even sure they are not paying astroturfers to do damage control on this or that there are countries like Malta or San Marino or whatever where they did not increase the price and are trying to help turn the PR tide in a very very odd way.

 

[Astray]

The price hike is only "delayed"? And I thought Sony sucked at PR

Taps the sign

Any time Sony gets an L, Microsoft scrambles to surround it with 5 L's of its own.

This is why Sony gets to coast along.

 

[Action Jackson]

I'm in France and looks like my GPU subscription is still at 14.99 € for now (but that's not even the right current GPU price, I think it should be 17.99).

But yesterday night I received an email saying my GPU sub would go from 215.99 € (17.99 * 12) annually to 323.99 € (26.99 * 12).
I'm not annually subscribed, only monthly, but I did not directly pay since years thanks to Rewards and redeemed codes, that may explain the old 14.99 price.

Same for me, mine runs out in a week but when logging in it still shows a monthly charge of EUR 14.99.

Did also receive an email, but the yearly price indicated was in USD. Seems all quite confusing and a hot mess, so business as usual at Team Green.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

lol.....now colt is back tracking.

Seems like it's been cleared up now. Certain countries have laws preventing sudden service pricing changes, so I guess people in those specific countries are getting the increase waived a month.

Good for them, I guess. But after November, they're in the same boat as everyone else (seemingly).

 

[Spukc]

 

[Emedan]

Sweden is part of the EU and only the next charge is at the old price. Going on November it will be the new price according to mail from MS.

 

[IntentionalPun]

It should have always been more expensive than it was. At the very least they should have given up on their pipe dreams of massive scale faster and upped the price majorly many years ago.

It was always priced in a way where they hoped to make it bigger than any typical console user base and it just never was gonna happen.

 

[DeepEnigma]

It should have always been more expensive than it was. At the very least they should have given up on their pipe dreams of massive scale faster and upped the price majorly many years ago.

It was always priced in a way where they hoped to make it bigger than any typical console user base and it just never was gonna happen.

They tried to follow the Netflix/Disney+ etc., approach. Loss-lead low to grow a massive base, then raise prices over time for those stuck in the "loyal" cycle. Disney even nope'd out early on a lot of "Day 1" films.

They gambled on gamers being like movie/show watchers, and they're not the same when it comes to the consumption of media. But with that, there is also a price. There has been a resurgence of CDs and DVD/BRs now that streaming services are getting out of the price threshold and people cutting the subscription chords.

 

[Joel Was Right]

It's not a walk-back.
It's their way to deter people from cancelling and dipping back in month-to-month.

 

[Skifi28]

For you?

If you have some insight how pricing works per individual per region, do share it with the rest of us. Everyone else seems rather confused.

 

[DragonNCM]

When is the one for next month due? Because the change doesn't happen until after 4 november.

November 1st

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

Mine for sure reflects the new pricing scheme. Would definitely keep it on at the old price.

 

[reinking]

Warren got a response from MS:

"...in line with local requirements."

 

[Moridianae]

Basically this doesn't do much outside of certain countries get a reprieve for a month due to laws?

They can't really stop the bleeding at this juncture, in my opinion. They had a chance to do so, mayhaps when the cancelations were so severe they crashed the website, but instead they mostly doubled down.

The bed is made, spikes and all. Time to lie in it, as they say.

 

[Goalus]

Seems like it's been cleared up now. Certain countries have laws preventing sudden service pricing changes, so I guess people in those specific countries are getting the increase waived a month.

Good for them, I guess. But after November, they're in the same boat as everyone else (seemingly).

I will report whether this is indeed the case for me or not.

 

[kat_on_the_roof]

So you have to be subscribed indefinitely or you lose your current price subscription?
Do I understand that right?

If so that is evil beyond belief. Genius

 

[Cakeboxer]

A friend of mine is still paying only 14.99 even though it costs 17.99, and he received a message a few days ago saying that he is not affected by the price increase and will continue paying only 14.99 Euro for Ultimate.

 

[ecosse_011172]

Every MS action:

 

[Tobimacoss]

Nah I'm good, no more gamepass in this household. Series X is now a fortnite console for my son, that's it

Does your son spend money on Battlepasses or Vbucks?

If you want loyalty, buy a dog. This increase is bullshit, man. It could work in a completely closed off environment, but there are many options outside of Xbox.

I have to commend Sony's PS Plus, you actually get to own the games they offer for the sub, and they also don't suddenly go schizoid with pricing.

You know it's coming, you can feel it in your bones, a Sony price hike is coming for Black Friday.

$150 yearly for Extra, $20 monthly for Premium and $200 yearly.

 

[Sooner]

For waiting a couple months in Germany and India to screw those customers because those governments forced their hands? Are you even in one of the few countries where the price hike is delayed?

You're really looking for any reason to keep your entire self-worth tied to a videogame console.

 

[Tobimacoss]

For waiting a couple months in Germany and India to screw those customers because those governments forced their hands? Are you even in one of the few countries where the price hike is delayed?

You're really looking for any reason to keep your entire self-worth tied to a videogame console.

Adam was just memeing.

Long term Gamepass users have already screwed MS long before they had the chance to screw with us. Essential to Ultimate conversion can still gets you Ultimate for $15 month for 15 months.

 

[adamsapple]

You're really looking for any reason to keep your entire self-worth tied to a videogame console.

I love it when folks with post history like yours comment on others habits.

Adam was just memeing.

Long term Gamepass users have already screwed MS long before they had the chance to screw with us. Essential to Ultimate conversion can still gets you Ultimate for $15 month for 15 months.

If you did the rewards and/or proper deals, you wouldn't need to pay a single penny for GPU for years. The gravy train is slowing down but plenty of us have had years of using it at little to no cost.

 

[spookyfish]

Taps the sign

I think they're both kind of in a race to the bottom. Microsoft has hit the nitrous, though.

 

[Saber]

Warren got a response from MS:

MS:

 

[PropellerEar]

I love it when folks with post history like yours comment on others habits.

 

[adamsapple]

Iconic response, Mr. Founder

 

[PropellerEar]

Iconic response, Mr. Founder

Only for you Chumdawg.

 

[Boo Who?]

Microsoft's messaging to their customers: