Xbox LIVE Seeing Price Hikes To Cover Extra Content
Enjoying your Xbox LIVE subscription? Exactly how much are you enjoying
it? We only ask because starting November 1st, it will cost you even
more to maintain it. For the first time since Xbox LIVE's inception, Microsoft is being forced to raise prices for members in Canada, Mexico,
the UK and the United States.
The price increases aren't huge, but they're notable. The 1 month Gold subscription is creeping up from $7.99 to $9.99, the 3 month Gold is going up from $19.99 to $24.99, and the 1 year Gold subscription is being raised from $49.99 to $59.99. We're sure that a lot of members will be upset, but Microsoft actually sells the increase pretty well. Here's a quote from Major Nelson:
"Since launching Xbox LIVE in 2002 we have continually added more content and entertainment experiences for our members, while keeping the price the same. We’re confident that when the new pricing takes effect, an Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry."
Also, if you want to lock in your current price, you can do so be renewing prior to November 1st. We suspect this is just the first of a few hikes to come, but it's hard to expect more content and more options without paying more. Of course, Sony's PlayStation Network is still free to access (yet some things are purchasable), and Nintendo simply doesn't offer anything that rivals Xbox LIVE. So, are you sticking with Microsoft, or will you let your subscription lapse when the time comes?
The price increases aren't huge, but they're notable. The 1 month Gold subscription is creeping up from $7.99 to $9.99, the 3 month Gold is going up from $19.99 to $24.99, and the 1 year Gold subscription is being raised from $49.99 to $59.99. We're sure that a lot of members will be upset, but Microsoft actually sells the increase pretty well. Here's a quote from Major Nelson:
"Since launching Xbox LIVE in 2002 we have continually added more content and entertainment experiences for our members, while keeping the price the same. We’re confident that when the new pricing takes effect, an Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry."
Also, if you want to lock in your current price, you can do so be renewing prior to November 1st. We suspect this is just the first of a few hikes to come, but it's hard to expect more content and more options without paying more. Of course, Sony's PlayStation Network is still free to access (yet some things are purchasable), and Nintendo simply doesn't offer anything that rivals Xbox LIVE. So, are you sticking with Microsoft, or will you let your subscription lapse when the time comes?
