After sparking significant backlash with price hikes for Game Pass Ultimate from October 1st onwards, it’s now confirmed that existing subscribers won’t immediately see the effects. There is a catch, though – it only applies in certain countries.
Several emails circulated recently regarding the same, but Microsoft officially clarified to The Verge that existing subscribers in Germany, South Korea, Ireland, Poland, and India wouldn’t have to pay more if they’re on the auto-recurring plan. However, canceling and repurchasing will apply the new price.
Kari Perez, head of Xbox communications, stated, “Our recent Game Pass update remains unchanged. Current subscribers in certain countries will continue renewing at their existing price for now, in line with local requirements. We’ll provide advance notice before price adjustments take effect in these countries.”
When that “advance notice” will go live remains to be seen, but some emails, like those for subscribers in Ireland, noted “at least 60 days.” In the meantime, if you’re a current subscriber, you can continue enjoying Game Pass Ultimate at its older price.
For everyone else, including the United States, the price hike remains at $30. Discounts on DLC and add-ons have also been removed from all tiers, which means Game Pass subscribers can no longer purchase expansions or Call of Duty Points for lower prices. For more details, check out the Game Pass changes here.
It’s great to see that the price hike for Game Pass Ultimate has been delayed in some regions. Listening to customer feedback is always a positive step. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out moving forward.
I agree, the delay is definitely a positive move for those affected. It gives the company a chance to address customer concerns more thoughtfully. Hopefully, they consider feedback from players moving forward!
to reassess its pricing strategy. It’s interesting to see how customer feedback can influence decisions like this. Hopefully, they consider other factors, like regional economic conditions, in their future pricing adjustments.
Absolutely, it’s a great reminder of the power of consumer voices. Companies often need to balance their business goals with customer satisfaction, and this delay shows they’re listening. It’ll be interesting to see how they adjust their strategy moving forward to maintain that balance.