Microsoft has prohibited the Xbox Game Pass price hike
Microsoft has prohibited the Xbox Game Pass price hike—but only for a select few players—after announcing that current customers in specific countries will continue to pay their old rates for now.
Microsoft is giving some Xbox fans a break—at least for now. After announcing a major 50% price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate last week, the company has decided to delay the increase for existing subscribers in a handful of countries, including Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Poland, and India.
According to an email sent to affected users, Microsoft says only new purchases will see the higher rate for now. “These increases will only affect new purchases and will not affect your current subscription… as long as you are on an auto-recurring plan,” the message explains. However, if you later cancel and rejoin, you will be charged the new higher price.
Microsoft confirmed the authenticity of the email, clarifying that US and UK customers are not affected by this delay. “Our recent Game Pass update is unchanged,” said Kari Perez, Head of Xbox Communications. “Current customers in some countries will continue to renew at their current price for now, in line with local requirements. We will provide advance notice before price adjustments take place in these countries.”
Players from Poland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and South Korea confirm that many have received the same message from Microsoft today.
Possible reason behind the delay? Local rules around membership price change. In some countries, companies should provide a lot of notice to customers before the prices rise. For example, in Ireland, auto-renewal customers still pay $19.00 per month instead of the new $28.50. The email from Microsoft also notes that affected users will get a notice of at least 60 days before any new pricing, which means no change for at least two months.
This update is a small but significant adjustment from the earlier plan of Microsoft. Initially, the company stated that the new pricing will be applicable from November 4 for all customers and existing members, starting from October 1 for new members. Now, this timeline is on hold—at least in select markets.
For gamers outside those regions, however, the price jump is still coming. Microsoft’s Game Pass overhaul marks one of the biggest shake-ups in the history of the subscription service, as the company looks to balance rising costs with its ever-expanding library of games.
Whether this regional delay extends to more countries remains to be seen, but for now, some lucky Xbox players scored a few extra months at their old rate.