If you’re an Xbox Live Gold member, you may find that your service renewal will cost you more beginning this fall.
Xbox Live Director of Programming, Larry Hryb, revealed in his majornelson.com blog on Monday that certain subscription packages would increase in price beginning November 1st.
“Since launching Xbox LIVE in 2002 we have continually added more content and entertainment experiences for our members, while keeping the price the same,” Hryb states in his post. “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.”
The increases will take place across six different subscription plans available in four different countries. US customers with the popular 12 Month Gold plan will pay $59.99, $10 more for one year or service, while 3 Month Gold subscribers will pay $5 more. Complete plan changes are outlined in the grid below:
The price change announcement has come just a couple months after Microsoft’s E3 2010 press conference where new Xbox Live services were revealed, including ESPN3 support and Video Kinect chat. It is unclear how much these services may have influenced the decision to raise subscription rates.
The good news is that Microsoft is currently offering 12 Month Gold upgrades and renewals for $39.99, or $10 off the price of the regular rate before the increase takes effect in November. Despite the savings, however, comments regarding the announcement on majornelson.com are largely negative, questioning the value that customers will be receiving for the impending rate increase.
I’m personally not thrilled about the price hike either. While I won’t cancel my membership over it, as some members are now threatening, I’d like a better justification from Microsoft regarding the reason for the increases.
Do you think the Xbox Live Gold rate increases are justified, or are you angry enough to cancel your account over it? Let us know in the comments.
