Xbox Game Pass subscriptions worldwide are set to undergo a price increase starting next month. According to The Verge, Microsoft will roll out the new prices to new subscribers on July 6, but current yearly subscribers will not see the changes until their membership ends. In India, the Game Pass Ultimate subscription will see a bump from Rs. 499 to Rs. 549, which Microsoft attributes to “reflecting competitive conditions in each market.” The console-only Game Pass will also experience a slight increase from Rs. 349 to Rs. 379 per month. Additionally, select markets will see price hikes for the Xbox Series X console starting in August.
The report does not mention any pricing adjustments for the PC Game Pass, suggesting that it will likely maintain its current price of Rs. 349 per month. While most regions will see Xbox Game Pass undergo its first pricing changes, India had already experienced significant reductions in prices last year across all plans. In April, Game Pass membership codes became available for purchase at retail, including digital codes on Amazon India. These codes offer a slightly lower price compared to buying directly from Microsoft’s official website as they are not subject to additional taxes. The codes are available at the Maximum Retail Price (MRP).
For those unfamiliar, an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership provides access to a wide selection of high-quality games for both console and PC, an EA Play membership, and Xbox Live Gold for online multiplayer.
Kari Perez, head of communications for Xbox, explained, “We’ve held our console prices for many years and have adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market.” From August 1, Xbox Series X prices will increase in most countries, with the exception of the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia, in order to align with the price hike Sony implemented for its PS5 consoles last year. It remains uncertain whether this upcoming price increase will apply to India, where the Series X is already considered overpriced at Rs. 55,990. The Asian region was not mentioned in the report either. In most European markets, the current-gen console will now be priced at EUR 549.99 (about Rs. 49,500), and in the UK, it will be listed at GBP 479.99 (about Rs. 50,200). In Canada, the console will cost $649.99 (about Rs. 40,500), and in Australia, it’ll be listed at $799.99 (about Rs. 36,000).
The lower-end Xbox Series S prices will not be affected by these changes, although it is worth noting that in India, the console already experienced a hike earlier this year, now priced at Rs. 39,990 compared to its initial launch price of Rs. 34,900. In October, Xbox Game Studios CEO Phil Spencer hinted that the current prices for Xbox consoles would not remain static and changes were likely on the horizon. It seems those changes are now materializing.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
