Microsoft has announced that it will increase the price of its Xbox Series X console and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. The price of the console will rise in August in most countries, while Game Pass prices will increase in July in most markets. The decision to increase console pricing follows a similar move by Sony last August, when it raised the PS5 price by up to 12.5% in numerous countries.
Starting on August 1, Xbox Series X will cost £479.99 in the UK, €549.99 across most European markets, $649.99 in Canada and $799.99 in Australia. Xbox Series S pricing will not be changing in any markets. From July 6, the monthly price of an Xbox Game Pass subscription for console will increase from $9.99 to $10.99, and the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price will increase from $14.99 per month to $16.99. PC Game Pass pricing will not be changing.
According to Kari Perez, Microsoft’s head of gaming communications, the company has held on its prices for consoles for many years and has adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market. Microsoft’s new Xbox Series X pricing will match PS5’s in the UK, Europe, Canada and Australia. The Xbox maker also increased the price of its first-party games from $60 to $70 this year, starting with May’s Redfall.
Table of Contents
Price Increase Announcement
Microsoft has recently announced that it will be increasing the prices of both Xbox Series X console and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. The company has stated that it has held on its console prices for many years and has adjusted them to reflect the competitive conditions in each market.
Game Pass Subscription Details
Starting from July 6th, the monthly price of an Xbox Game Pass subscription for console will increase from $9.99 to $10.99. At the same time, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price will increase from $14.99 per month to $16.99. However, PC Game Pass pricing will not be changing.
These price increases will be applicable in most markets, excluding Norway, Chile, Denmark, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia. Microsoft has explained that the price increase for Game Pass subscriptions is due to the growing value of the service, which now includes EA Play, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Live Gold.
Console Price Details
The Xbox Series X console price will rise in August in most countries, excluding the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. As reported by The Verge, starting on August 1st, Xbox Series X will cost £479.99 in the UK, €549.99 across most European markets, $649.99 in Canada and $799.99 in Australia. However, Xbox Series S pricing will not be changing in any markets.
Kari Perez, Microsoft’s head of gaming communications, stated that the company has adjusted the console prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market. Perez also mentioned that the company has held on to its console prices for many years.
It is worth noting that Microsoft’s new Xbox Series X pricing will match PS5’s in the UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia. Sony had also raised the PS5 price by up to 12.5% in numerous countries last August.
In addition to the price increase for Game Pass subscriptions and consoles, Microsoft has also increased the price of its first-party games from $60 to $70 this year, starting with May’s Redfall.
Overall, Microsoft’s decision to increase the prices of Xbox Series X console and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions has been met with mixed reactions from the gaming community. However, the company has stated that these price increases are necessary to continue providing high-quality gaming experiences to its customers.
Price Changes in Different Regions
Microsoft has announced that it will be increasing the prices of Xbox Series X consoles and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions in several markets. The price changes will take effect in July and August, depending on the region.
Excluded Countries
The Xbox maker has excluded some countries from the price increase. Xbox Game Pass prices will not be going up in Norway, Chile, Denmark, Switzerland or Saudi Arabia. The console price increase will not affect the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia.
Affected Countries
In most European markets, the price of the Xbox Series X console will increase from €499.99 to €549.99. In the UK, the console price will rise from £449.99 to £479.99. In Canada, the console price will increase from $599.99 to $649.99, while in Australia, it will increase from $749.95 to $799.99. Xbox Game Pass prices will also increase in most markets, with the monthly subscription for console going up from $9.99 to $10.99.
PC Game Pass pricing will remain unchanged. The decision to increase console pricing follows a similar move by Sony last August, when it raised the PS5 price by up to 12.5% in numerous countries.
Microsoft has stated that the price increases are necessary to reflect the competitive conditions in each market. The company has held its console prices for many years and has adjusted them to reflect market conditions.
It is worth noting that local market conditions may also affect the price changes. The prices mentioned above are the official prices, but some retailers may offer different prices based on local market conditions.
In summary, Microsoft is raising the prices of Xbox Series X consoles and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions in most markets. The price changes will take effect in July and August, depending on the region.
Comparison with Sony’s Pricing
Microsoft’s decision to increase the price of Xbox Series X and Game Pass subscriptions follows a similar move by Sony last year when it raised the price of PS5 by up to 12.5% in numerous countries. Here’s how the pricing of Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Game Pass subscriptions compare with Sony’s PS5:
Console Pricing
Microsoft’s new Xbox Series X pricing will match PS5’s in the UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia. However, Xbox Series X will not see a price increase in the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia, unlike PS5, which saw a price increase in all markets.
Game Pass Subscription Pricing
From July 6, the monthly price of an Xbox Game Pass subscription for console will increase from $9.99 to $10.99 (£7.99 to £8.99 / €9.99 to €10.99). At the same time, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price will increase from $14.99 per month to $16.99 (£10.99 to £12.99 / €12.99 to €14.99). In contrast, Sony’s PS Plus subscription service costs $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
First-Party Game Pricing
Microsoft also increased the price of its first-party games from $60 to $70 this year, starting with May’s Redfall. Sony, on the other hand, has not increased the price of its first-party games for PS5.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s pricing for Xbox Series X and Game Pass subscriptions will match Sony’s PS5 pricing in some markets, but not all. Additionally, Microsoft has increased the price of its first-party games, while Sony has not.
Impact on Games and Content
With the recent announcement of the increase in subscription prices for Xbox Series X and Game Pass, it is natural to wonder about the impact it will have on games and content. In this section, we will explore the potential effects of the price hike on first-party games and partner games.
First-Party Games
Microsoft has already increased the price of its first-party games from $60 to $70, starting with May’s Redfall. This move was made to reflect the rising costs of game development and to ensure that developers are fairly compensated for their work.
Save $25 on Preowned PS4s and Xbox One ConsolesWhile the increase in subscription prices may lead to concerns about the affordability of first-party games, it is important to note that the price hike only affects Game Pass and console prices. PC Game Pass pricing will remain the same, and players can still purchase first-party games outright without a subscription.
Partners’ Games
The impact on partners’ games is less clear. While Microsoft has not announced any plans to increase the revenue share for developers on the Xbox platform, it is possible that the price hike could lead to increased revenue for developers.
Activision Blizzard, for example, recently announced that it would be increasing the revenue share for its Call of Duty League and Overwatch League teams. It is possible that other partners could follow suit, especially if the price hike leads to increased revenue for Microsoft.
It is also worth noting that Microsoft has a number of highly anticipated games in the pipeline, including Starfield. While the price hike may lead to concerns about the affordability of these games, it is likely that they will continue to be highly anticipated and successful regardless of the increase in subscription prices.
Get 20% Bonus Trade Credit when Trading in towards the purchase or pre-order of Street Fighter 6, Diablo IV, Final Fantasy XVIIn conclusion, the impact of the subscription price hike on games and content remains to be seen. While there may be concerns about affordability, it is important to note that the price hike only affects Game Pass and console prices, and that Microsoft’s partners may see increased revenue as a result.
Future Outlook
With the recent price increases for Xbox Series X and Game Pass subscriptions, Microsoft is positioning itself to continue to compete in the gaming market. The company has stated that it has adjusted its prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market, and it remains to be seen how these increases will affect its market share.
Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, has previously stated that the company is committed to expanding its first-party offerings and investing in new hardware. In September, Microsoft is set to release the Xbox Series X Halo Infinite Limited Edition Bundle, which includes a custom-designed console and controller.
In addition to hardware, Microsoft is also focused on expanding its subscription services. Xbox Game Pass subscriptions offer players access to a large library of games for a monthly fee, similar to Netflix. The recent price increase for Game Pass subscriptions reflects the value that Microsoft places on this service.
Microsoft has also partnered with numerous third-party developers to bring exclusive titles to its consoles. The company has stated that it plans to release a new first-party game every quarter, with upcoming titles including Starfield, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport.
One area where Microsoft has an advantage over its competitors is in the speed of its hardware. The Xbox Series X features a custom-designed SSD that allows for faster loading times and smoother gameplay. This technology will likely continue to be a selling point for the company as it competes with Sony’s PlayStation 5.
Overall, Microsoft’s future outlook in the gaming market remains strong. With a focus on expanding its first-party offerings, investing in new hardware, and expanding its subscription services, the company is well-positioned to continue to compete with its rivals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What countries will see an increase in Xbox Series X console prices in August?
The Xbox Series X console price will increase in most countries, except for the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. Starting on August 1, the console will cost £479.99 in the UK, €549.99 across most European markets, $649.99 in Canada, and $799.99 in Australia.
What markets will not see an increase in Game Pass prices in July?
Game Pass prices will not increase in Norway, Chile, Denmark, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia.
What is the new monthly price for an Xbox Game Pass subscription for console?
Starting from July 6, the monthly price for an Xbox Game Pass subscription for console will increase from $9.99 to $10.99 (£7.99 to £8.99 / €9.99 to €10.99).
What is the new monthly price for an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription?
The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price will increase from $14.99 per month to $16.99 (£10.99 to £12.99 / €12.99 to €14.99).
What was the reason behind Microsoft’s decision to increase console pricing?
According to Kari Perez, Microsoft’s head of gaming communications, the decision to increase console pricing was made to reflect the competitive conditions in each market. Microsoft has held on to their console prices for many years and has now adjusted them to match the prices of their competitors.
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