Microsoft has announced that from August 1, the price of Xbox Series X consoles will be increased in all countries and regions except the United States, Japan, Chile, Brazil and Colombia. Also effective July 6, Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft’s game subscription services, will also increase in most markets, the first price increase since the launch of Xbox Game Pass in 2017.
Microsoft gaming PR lead Kari Perez told foreign media outlet VGC: “Our console prices have remained the same for many years, and this price adjustment reflects the competition in each market.”
The Xbox Series X will be priced from £449.99 to £479.99 in the UK, from €499.99 to €549.99 in most of Europe, from CAD $599.99 to CAD $649.99 in Canada, and from AUD $749.99 to AUD $799.99 in Australia. While the Xbox Series S will not be adjusted in any market and will remain at $299.99.
As for game subscription services, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will increase from $14.99 to $16.99 per month (€14.99 / £12.99), while Xbox Game Pass for Console will increase from $9.99 to $10.99 per month (€10.99 / £8.99). Microsoft has not changed the price of PC Game Pass. For those who are already monthly Game Pass members, the new price will take effect on August 13 (September 13 for Germany). For those who subscribe to Game Pass through an annual redemption code, the new prices will take effect at the time of renewal. All markets will be affected by the Game Pass price increase, except for a few countries such as Norway, Chile, Denmark, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia.
Microsoft emphasized that the Game Pass price adjustment is unrelated to its acquisition of Activision Blizzard and is simply a response to local market conditions. Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pas price increase follows the general trend of entertainment subscription service price increases in recent years, with video streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu and others all raising prices last year or the year before. Music streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify have also raised prices in most markets in recent years. Nintendo hasn’t adjusted prices since launching its Switch Online subscription service in 2018, while Sony updated its PlayStation Plus subscription service last year with three packages for PlayStation Plus Essential, Plus Extra and Plus Premium for PlayStation subscribers can choose.
