Inflation has affected the price of nearly everything consumers buy over the past couple of years, and it seems the Xbox isn’t exempt. Today Microsoft announced they’ll be boosting the price of both Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. They’re also increasing the cost of the Xbox Series X in most countries outside the United States, where the price tag will remain the same.
Starting on July 6, a month of Xbox Game Pass for consoles will cost $10.99 instead of $9.99, and Game Pass Ultimate will cost $16.99 instead of $14.99. So, not a huge jump, but still, Microsoft has held the firm on Game Pass pricing for a long time. It should also be mentioned that the price of Game Pass for PC will be remaining the same.
As for the Xbox Series X, it will be increasing in price in Canada, Australia, and most of Europe. The console will now cost £480 in the UK, €550 in most European markets, $650 in Canada, and $800 in Australia. Again, the console will be maintaining its $500 price tag in the US. The Xbox Series S will also be retaining its usual price tag in all regions. Sony pulled a similar move last year, increasing the cost of the PS5 in Europe, but keeping it the same in America.
Xbox communications head Kari Perez had the following to say about the price hike.
“We’ve held on our prices for consoles for many years and have adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market.”
Xbox boss Phil Spencer previously hinted that price increases were coming, but that they wanted to hold back on them until the holiday season was over…
“I do think at some point we’ll have to raise the prices on certain things, but going into this holiday, we thought it was important to maintain the prices.”
What do you think? Will you be continuing your Game Pass subscription with these price increases? Will this alter your desire to buy an Xbox Series X in the future?
