Microsoft Delays Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Hike for Existing Members
Microsoft has partially rolled back its controversial Xbox Game Pass price hike, announcing that the increase will not immediately apply to existing subscribers in certain countries. The company confirmed that current Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Poland, and India will continue paying their existing rates — at least for now.
Last week, Microsoft revealed a 50% price increase for its Game Pass Ultimate tier, sparking widespread backlash from gamers worldwide. The update raised the subscription price for new users starting October 1, but the company is now clarifying that active subscribers with auto-renewal enabled in select regions are temporarily shielded from the higher costs.
In emails sent to affected users overnight, Microsoft explained:
“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.”
This means existing members in those regions will retain the older price until they cancel or manually renew their subscription, at which point the new, higher rate will apply.
Which Countries Are Exempt from the Price Hike?
Reports confirmed by The Verge show that subscribers in Poland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and South Korea have all received notifications confirming the delay. Microsoft said it would provide at least 60 days’ advance notice before applying the new rates in these regions.
For example, in Ireland, current subscribers will continue to pay €17.99 per month, rather than the newly announced €26.99. That €9 difference marks one of the steepest monthly price jumps ever introduced for the Game Pass Ultimate plan.
Why Microsoft Hit Pause on the Xbox Game Pass Price Hike
The decision to delay the increase is believed to be linked to local consumer protection regulations that require companies to give adequate notice before raising subscription prices. Sources told The Verge that Microsoft wants to ensure compliance with these laws to avoid penalties or customer backlash.
Kari Perez, Head of Xbox Communications, told The Verge:
“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.”
This clarification represents a rare partial reversal for Microsoft, which has faced criticism over rising gaming costs and the complexity of its Game Pass tiers.
A Global Rollout of Price Hikes Still Looms
Despite the regional pause, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass price hike remains active for new subscribers worldwide. The new pricing tiers went into effect on October 1 for all new users, with existing members in most countries expected to see increases by early November 2025.
In the United States, the monthly cost of Game Pass Ultimate rose from $16.99 to $24.99, while PC Game Pass increased from $9.99 to $14.99. These hikes follow Microsoft’s summer announcement of new Game Pass tiers — including Game Pass Standard, Game Pass Core, and Game Pass Ultimate — designed to “better align with regional markets.”
Community Reaction and Industry Impact
The news has reignited debates among gamers about the rising cost of digital entertainment. Many subscribers expressed frustration that Microsoft, once seen as offering one of the best value propositions in gaming, is now aligning prices closer to competitors like PlayStation Plus Premium and Ubisoft+.
Analysts suggest the move is part of a broader strategy to offset the growing cost of maintaining the Xbox Game Pass library, which now includes high-budget titles like Starfield and Call of Duty.
Industry expert Tom Warren, who reported the update for The Verge, noted that while the delay offers “temporary relief” in some regions, it’s unlikely to halt the broader trend of subscription price inflation across the gaming industry.
What Subscribers Should Know
If you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member in a protected region with auto-renew enabled, your current pricing will remain stable for now. However, canceling and rejoining later will trigger the new higher rate. Microsoft says customers will be notified 60 days before any changes take effect.
The company hasn’t ruled out further adjustments in 2026, depending on market conditions and subscriber feedback.
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