Game Pass price hike won't affect everyone, some countries keep grandfathered rate

Xbox Game Pass isn't increasing in price for everyone, and Microsoft officially confirms that some countries will still retain the original cheaper price for Ultimate.

4

Last night, Game Pass subscribers across the globe received strange emails: Apparently, their Game Pass subscriptions had been grandfathered at the original rate and wouldn't be affected by the recent controversial Game Pass price hike. As long as the users kept recurring billing on, the emails said, their Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions would stay at the current rate and not increase to the new rate.

• Read more: Former FTC chair blames Xbox Game Pass price hike on the size of Microsoft
• Read more: Xbox removes Game Pass console tier, to replace with Game Pass Standard tier in 'coming months'
• Read more: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price has increased 33%, or $5, in 5 years

"At this time, these increases will only affect new purchases and will not affect your current subscription for the market in which you reside, as long as you are on an auto-recurring plan. Should you choose to cancel your plan and repurchase, you will be charged at the new current rate."

4

Now, Microsoft has officially confirmed these emails are genuine.

Game Pass Ultimate will only increase for new subscribers in specific regions, and anyone with an active subscription with recurring billing on in these regions will keep their original rate. These countries include those in the EU like Germany, Ireland, Poland, and Italy, as well as Israel, India and South Korea.

It's true that price adjustments are being made on a regional basis but it's also EU legislation that prevents Microsoft from sudden radical subscription price hikes--like the one that's affecting the US, where Game Pass Ultimate is increasing by +50% to $30/month.

"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," Xbox rep Kari Perez said in a statement to The Verge.

4