Microsoft recently unveiled significant price increases for its popular Xbox Game Pass service. However, the good news is that these changes won’t hit all subscribers immediately, either in the US or internationally. When the substantial 50% price hike for Game Pass Ultimate was first announced on October 1st, many received emails outlining their specific transition dates, with some US users seeing their price adjustments pushed back until November.
Further clarity has emerged: Microsoft is temporarily allowing subscribers in a select group of international countries to maintain their current membership rates, provided they don’t cancel their subscriptions. Should they choose to cancel and then resubscribe, they will be charged the new, higher rate. This policy applies to users in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Korea, Poland, and India.
An email sent to subscribers in these regions from Microsoft clarified: ‘At this time, these increases will only affect new purchases and will not affect your current subscription for the market in which you reside, as long as you are on an auto-recurring plan. Should you choose to cancel your plan and repurchase, you will be charged at the new current rate.’
However, this reprieve is only temporary. A Microsoft spokesperson informed The Verge that members in these specific regions can continue renewing at their current price ‘for now,’ citing ‘local requirements’ as the reason. They also assured subscribers that they would be notified ‘at least 60 days in advance’ of any future price adjustments, suggesting a grace period of at least a few months before higher rates are universally applied.
Stateside, existing Game Pass Ultimate subscribers should anticipate paying the increased rates starting November 4th. For new US subscribers, the $30 per month price for Game Pass Ultimate is already in effect.
Interestingly, some US retailers are still selling Game Pass Ultimate at the previous $20 price point. Savvy gamers looking to extend their membership at the lower rate might want to check these offers before they’re gone.
This price adjustment by Microsoft comes right before the highly anticipated launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on November 14th. Consequently, enjoying the latest Call of Duty titles through Game Pass has become a significantly more expensive endeavor.
