Xbox Game Pass Price Hike to $11.95, Xbox Series X Consoles Price Increase to $799.99 AUD (Aug 1st)

scrimshaw on 23/06/2023 - 13:55
Last edited 23/06/2023 - 14:11

According to various news outlets, Microsoft will be increasing the price of the Game Pass video game subscription as well as the base price of the Series X console.

Polygon

The Verge reported on Wednesday that Xbox Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate monthly subscriptions will increase $1 and $2, respectively. That means Xbox Game Pass will go up to US$10.99 (AU11.95) per month, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which grants every level of access the Game Pass system offers, will now be US$16.99 (AU18.95) per month. The PC Game Pass Subscription price will remain unchanged at US$9.99.

The prices take effect on July 6; those who have subscribed on an annual basis will see the price change take effect once that subscription comes up for renewal.

Microsoft will raise the price of the Xbox Series X in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia beginning on Aug. 1. A Microsoft spokesperson told The Verge that the company “adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market.”

The price increases mean a Series X will cost £479.99 in the U.K., €549.99 in certain European Union Markets, and AUD $799.99 down under.

The Verge says:

Xbox Series X console pricing will largely match the price hike Sony announced for the PS5 last year, with the Xbox Series X moving to £479.99 in the UK, €549.99 across most European markets, CAD $649.99 in Canada, and AUD $799.99 in Australia starting August 1st. The Xbox Series S pricing will not be adjusted in any markets, remaining at $299.99.

While Xbox Series X pricing adjustments had been expected after Sony’s move last year, Xbox chief Phil Spencer also hinted in October that pricing for subscriptions wouldn’t hold forever.

Microsoft hasn’t changed its Xbox Game Pass pricing since launching the subscription in 2017, and the company is keen to stress this isn’t related to its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. “These Game Pass price adjustments are not related to the Activision Blizzard deal, and are intended to match local market conditions,” says Perez.

A table showing all the prices hikes across different regions can be seen on the Verge website.

Thankfully, most Ozbargainers are savvy enough to take advantage of loopholes to avoid paying full price for the Xbox Game Pass. and I wonder how long Microsoft will continue to turn a blind eye to these exploits.

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Comments

  • pharkurnell on 23/06/2023 - 14:06
    +5

    Wont someone please think of the children….

    • gakko on 23/06/2023 - 14:25
      +1

      Well they are thinking of their customers yeah. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

    • 7ekn00 on 23/06/2023 - 16:13

      Leave the children alone ;)

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 23/06/2023 - 14:24
    +2

    Of all my subscriptions I would say gamespass has been by far the best value. Cloud gaming also has been bloody fantastic. Even at $11.95 a month actually still great value. (I absolutely did take advantage of the Turkish sub workaround though)

  • freefall101 on 23/06/2023 - 14:45
    +1

    Jacking up the price right before Starfield comes out is probably a smart move. Worth signing up just to have a cheap way of playing that.

    I've been happy buying discount Australian subs for years now though and averaged out less than $10 a month for Ultimate, might finally have to switch to my holiday home in Turkey.

  • AustriaBargain on 23/06/2023 - 15:52
    +2

    Probably keeping up with inflation. Infinitely reproducing digital content isn't cheap, the workers at the 1s and 0s factory need to be paid more.

  • impoze on 23/06/2023 - 17:34

    But is the turkey subscription price going up?

    • scrimshaw on 23/06/2023 - 18:14
      +2

      Yes

      Was TRY 29.99, will be increased to TRY 79.99

      • impoze on 24/06/2023 - 09:00

        Good thing the lira keeps crashing

  • DesMan04 on 23/06/2023 - 17:37

    What's the best X-Box Series X deal going around?
    Is the Diablo bundle at $849 good value?

    • impoze on 24/06/2023 - 09:00
      +2

      Wait for another 20% code

  • BatsRule on 14/07/2023 - 17:28
    Merged from Xbox is updating prices and here is what you should know

    Moved to Forum: Original Link

    Thank you for being an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member. We want to give you details on how we are planning to increase our prices to bring you the best gaming experience. After 13 August 2023, your payment will be $18.95 plus applicable taxes every recurrence period. You can manage your account, how you pay, or stop future charges, by visiting your Microsoft account.

    This updated pricing allows us to bring more value and choice to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

    See link for further info.

    • easternculture on 14/07/2023 - 17:29

      And how is this a bargain

      • BatsRule on 14/07/2023 - 17:30

        Its not. So where do you post it!

        • BatsRule on 14/07/2023 - 17:35

          Nice. Moved to forum. Now i know where to post.

    • dosada on 14/07/2023 - 17:29

      Xbox updating prices is a bargain?

      • AustriaBargain on 14/07/2023 - 19:21
        +1

        He was trying to do us a favour with a price rise heads up and didn't know how to post to forum. I must admit the UI here isn't so unintuitive, it's a bit like going to reddit for the first time, a little confusing.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 14/07/2023 - 17:32

      mine expires on in feb next year then im hitting up the VPN in Turkey job

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 14/07/2023 - 17:43
      +5

      Laughs in prepaid account with over 2 years to go

      • Switchblade88 on 14/07/2023 - 20:19
        +2

        Friends don't let friends pay for Game Pass Ultimate by the month.

    • scrimshaw on 14/07/2023 - 17:44

      Xbox Game Pass Price Hike to $11.95, Xbox Series X Consoles Price Increase to $799.99 AUD (Aug 1st)
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/783388

      There are already several known ways to avoid paying full price for game passes

      • DASHCAM NOW DUDE on 16/07/2023 - 21:23

        Is there a way without VPNs and foreign currencies?

    • Brick Tamland on 14/07/2023 - 18:22

      I was thinking about challenging this. I went through Telstra on a 24 month contract, I am surprised that they can change the price mid-contract….

      • Drpepper666 on 14/07/2023 - 18:25

        Any indication Telstra will pass the increase on?

        • Brick Tamland on 14/07/2023 - 18:27

          I havent been notified. So maybe they (Telstra) will have to absorb the increase as I am on contract til end of the year. Anyway, we will wait and see.

          Edit: Interestingly, Telstra haven't update their console bundle prices yet. I wonder if its possible to lock in 24 months at the cheaper price

      • AustriaBargain on 14/07/2023 - 19:24

        I actually have a Telstra subscription going too. I gave it to my nephew to use as an ongoing present, I didn't think it right to try and pull a Turkey trick on his account for a gift in case of sudden bans or weird issues, so I thought what the hell just have the Telstra one. $16 a month was kinda palatable but $19 for some reason feels like a lot. But the good games are finally coming out and I don't know what else he wants for xmas and birthday, so why not. He's got the rest of his life to not afford this kind of stuff for himself..

    • Jake17 on 14/07/2023 - 20:26

      I have it through telstra. Got a email earlier stating i will be charged $454.95 plus applicable taxes after August 13. They can go (profanity) themselves if they think i will be continuing that

      Edit. Email from xbox

      • AustriaBargain on 14/07/2023 - 20:46

        Charged up front that much? Can you copy and paste the email here, I definitely don't want that to happen..

        • Jake17 on 14/07/2023 - 21:24

          https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/174767/105120/screensh…

          I uploaded a screenshot

          • AustriaBargain on 14/07/2023 - 21:44

            @Jake17: Holy (profanity) that. They will be earning interest by making us pay two years of the new price upfront instead of monthly? I didn't get this email, I wonder if my nephew who has the account did..

          • randomusername2017 on 14/07/2023 - 21:48

            @Jake17: 24 (24*$18.95) month subscription when the current one expires?

            • Jake17 on 14/07/2023 - 21:48

              @randomusername2017: Possibly. But telstra say it goes to monthly after the 24 months

              • AustriaBargain on 15/07/2023 - 10:43

                @Jake17: Monthly I can tolerate, because I can cancel it whenever, it's kind of convenient to earn Telstra points on it. But two years is just insane. I'd rather buy at the same price from a reseller and let them have some of the money.

              • Jake17 on 21/07/2023 - 14:46

                @Jake17: Update. Got this email

                You received an email from Xbox last week with the subject line, "Xbox is updating prices and here is what you should know," notifying you of upcoming pricing changes for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate memberships that are provided by Microsoft.

                Because your Game Pass Ultimate plan is provided by a partner such as your telephone or internet provider, this does not apply to you. Your provider manages your payments and they will notify you of any relevant changes.

                We apologize for any inconvenience, we hope you continue to enjoy your Game Pass membership.

      • Brick Tamland on 15/07/2023 - 09:36

        I got the same email but for $18.95 per month. I can’t understand where your wild figure came from. But I note it’s from Xbox not Telstra. If it’s through Telstra on contract I think Telstra needs to eat the cost.

        • Jake17 on 15/07/2023 - 10:32

          Yeah. I'm still contracted til February

  • kazuyamishima on 19/07/2023 - 13:24

    There was a guy around here always saying that MS wouldn't do that.

    Not only they raised the price of the console but Gamepass too.

  • Brick Tamland on 20/07/2023 - 07:10

    I got an update email from MS saying the email was sent in error.

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