Microsoft to make changes to Xbox subscription service
Microsoft will make some changes to the Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass subscription services. After changing the terms of service, users should be able to manage their subscriptions more easily, and Microsoft will also terminate subscriptions that have not been used for a long time, but users still have to continue to pay in certain circumstances.
Microsoft’s change comes in response to an earlier question from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) about its subscription service. On the government’s official website, the CMA said it had reached an agreement with Microsoft that would prevent accidental renewals of two subscription services, Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass.
Under this agreement, Microsoft will take the following measures to prevent users from accidentally renewing the service without their knowledge:
- Better upfront information: Microsoft will provide more transparent, upfront information to help customers understand their Xbox membership – making clear, for example, that the subscription will auto-renew unless the customer turns off auto-renewal; when the subscription will auto-renew; how much it will cost; and how the customer can receive a refund after an accidental renewal
- Refunds: Microsoft will contact existing customers on recurring 12-month contracts and give them the option to end their contract and claim a pro-rata refund
- Inactive memberships: Microsoft will also contact existing customers who haven’t used their memberships for a long time but are still paying. These customers will be reminded how to stop payments, and if they continue not to use their memberships, Microsoft will ultimately stop taking further payments
- Better information about price increases: Microsoft will give clearer notifications of any future price rises, and will ensure people know how to turn off auto-renewal if they don’t want to pay the higher price
Although these changes are currently only applicable to the local UK market, Microsoft will also extend these changes to the Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass subscription services worldwide.
