Microsoft plans to raise the price of its premium gaming console Xbox Series X in most countries except the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil and Colombia. The company is also increasing prices for Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for Console subscriptions worldwide (including in the US). The company’s Xbox Series S console is not expected to go up in price at this point. The Verge.
Microsoft’s Xbox Series X gaming console will soon be priced at €549.99 in most European markets, £479.99 in the UK, CAD649.99 in Canada and AU$799.99 in Australia. New pricing will apply from August 1, 2023. So if you’re interested in picking up a premium console, you have just over a month to get it at the current low price. The price hike will bring the Xbox Series X’s MSRP to roughly the same level as Sony’s PlayStation 5, which saw a global price increase last October as a result of high inflation and overall economic conditions. become.
“For years, we’ve held console prices steady and adjusted our prices to reflect the competitive landscape in each market,” said Kari Perez, head of communications at Xbox. The Verge.
Microsoft also plans to raise prices for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for Console subscriptions. The new monthly price for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will increase from $14.99 to $16.99 in the US, from £10.99 to £12.99 in the UK, and from €12.99 to €14.99 in mainland Europe, while the price of Xbox Game Pass for Console will remain the same. will be changed. They increase to $10.99, £8.99 and €10.99 respectively. PC Game Pass subscription prices remain unchanged, and Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for Console subscription prices remain the same in Norway, Chile, Denmark, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia.
Current Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for Console subscribers will see the new pricing starting August 13th (September 13th in Germany). New subscribers will be subject to the new rates starting July 6th.
“These Game Pass price adjustments are independent of Activision Blizzard’s deal and are intended to align with local market conditions,” Perez stressed.
Microsoft has changed the pricing of Game Pass Ultimate/Console subscriptions following a widespread trend of increasing prices for entertainment subscription services. Disney Plus, Hulu, Netflix, Apple Music, and Spotify have all recently received price increases.
