In a move that has caught the attention of gamers worldwide, Microsoft has unveiled plans to raise the price of its flagship console, the Xbox Series X, in several regions. Unfortunately, this price adjustment coincides with an increase in the subscription cost for the popular Xbox Game Pass service, leaving fans concerned about the growing expenses during these financially challenging times.
Starting with the Xbox Series X, Microsoft has confirmed that the console’s price will see an uptick in various parts of the world, with the exception of the United States. Gamers in the UK, for instance, will witness the cost of the new-gen machine rise from £449.99 to £479.99, which has left some enthusiasts disheartened.
Not stopping at the console itself, Microsoft is also raising the price of its subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, but only for console players. Fortunately, the cost of Xbox Game Pass on PC will remain untouched. The standard Xbox Game Pass subscription will see an increase from £7.99 to £8.99 in the UK, €9.99 to €10.99 in most European regions, and $8.99 to $10.99 in the United States.
The comprehensive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription is not exempt from the price adjustments. Subscribers in the UK can expect a jump from £10.99 to £12.99, while in most European regions, the price will increase from €12.99 to €14.99. In the United States, the cost will rise from $14.99 to $16.99. The implementation of the new prices will vary depending on the region. New subscribers will be affected starting from July 6, 2023, while existing monthly subscribers will face the increase on August 13, 2023.
The timing of these price increases has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation among the gaming community. With the highly anticipated release of Starfield, a sci-fi RPG developed by Bethesda, just around the corner, some wonder if the price adjustments are intentionally tied to the game’s launch on September 6, 2023. While Microsoft has not explicitly confirmed any correlation, the timing does raise questions.
Despite concerns about rising costs, Microsoft is banking on the allure of Starfield and the immense anticipation surrounding the game to attract new subscribers and renewals for Xbox Game Pass. It remains to be seen how gamers will respond to these price adjustments and whether the added value of Xbox Game Pass and the Xbox Series X will continue to justify the increased investment for console players.
As the gaming community digests this news, many are left pondering the impact of these price increases on the accessibility and affordability of the Xbox ecosystem. With the release of Starfield on the horizon, Microsoft faces both excitement and scrutiny as fans contemplate the value proposition of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Game Pass in light of these cost adjustments.
Featured Image: Bethesda