Microsoft announces price increases for Xbox Series X in some regions
Microsoft has announced that as of August 1st of this year, the sale price of the Xbox Series X game console will undergo an increment for countries and regions outside of the United States, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. Additionally, from July 6th, Microsoft’s game subscription services, Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will experience a price hike in most countries and regions. This marks Microsoft’s inaugural price adjustment since the introduction of the Xbox Game Pass in 2017.
As reported by The Verge, Kari Perez, Director of Global Communications for Xbox, stated in a declaration that Microsoft has staunchly adhered to its console pricing for several years, and this adjustment in cost reflects the competitive state of each market. This represents the first price increase after two years and seven months of the next-gen console’s release. Notably, the pricing adjustment pertains solely to Xbox Series X, with the European Union region escalating from the original 499.99 Euros to 549.99 Euros. However, the less expensive Xbox Series S will maintain its existing price.
Competitor Sony already elevated the retail prices of PlayStation 5 in most sales countries and regions during the previous summer, encompassing Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, including Canada in North America, yet the U.S. remains unaffected. Although Microsoft did not promptly follow suit, Phil Spencer, the head of the Xbox business, had hinted at emulating Sony’s tactic in October of the last year.
Furthermore, Microsoft has also adjusted the prices of its game subscription services. For instance, the monthly price for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will increase from $14.99 to $16.99, although the pricing for PC Game Pass remains unaltered. The new pricing standards will take effect from August 13th of this year (September 13th in Germany), and subscribers who avail of the service via annual redemption codes will renew at the new price. Microsoft emphasized that the subscription service price adjustment has no connection with the ongoing acquisition case of Activision Blizzard.
