UPDATE: The decision to up the price of Xbox Live Gold has now been reversed and it will stay the same price. You can read more HERE.
Microsoft has announced that the price of Xbox Gold Live is going up quite significantly. This came as a bit of a shock overnight as it was heavily rumoured prior to the launch of the Xbox Series X that Xbox Live would become free in the Xbox Series X generation.
Microsoft says that the price of a 1-month gold membership is going up $1 USD and the price of a 3-month membership is going up $5 USD. It looks as though they’re phasing out the 12-month subscription which used to bring a decent saving over buying a 1-month or 3-month pass.
Whilst we don’t have new Australian pricing yet, the new pricing structure is as follows (we’ll update you when we get new Australian pricing):
- 1 month – $10.99 USD ($14 AUD)
- 3 months – $29.99 USD ($38.86 AUD)
- 6 months – $59.99 USD ($77.77 AUD)
With the removal of the 12 month subscription, if the new pricing was to be right, it looks like it’d be well over $100 (probably closer to $120-$130) for a 12 month subscription.
The price of Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate are not going up, which will definitely make Xbox Game Pass Ultimate a more compelling offering. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cost $15.95 a month ($190 a year) but it brings you Xbox Game Pass for both Xbox/PC as well as Xbox Live Gold.
Those that have active Xbox Live Gold subscriptions will not be effected until their subscription runs out. Microsoft says it will give at least 45 days notice before hitting people with the increased price.
