Microsoft increases Xbox Series X and Game Pass prices

Microsoft has announced that it’ll soon increase its Xbox Series X price across all the different markets to match the PlayStation 5 price. However, the company won’t be increasing the console price in the United States, Japan, Chile, Brazil, or Colombia. In addition, the company also plans to increase the prices of the Xbox Game Pass subscription for the first time.

According to a new report from The Verge, Microsoft will raise the Xbox Series X price significantly starting August 1, but the new pricing will depend on the market. For example, in the United Kingdom, the console will now cost £479.99 and €549.99 in most European markets, while in Canada, the price will go up to CAD 649.99 and AUD 799.99 in Australia. However, the company will keep the Xbox Series S at $299.99 for the base model and $349.99 for the new 1TB model.

Starting July 6, Microsoft will also be increasing the prices of its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for Console across almost all the supported markets, including the United States, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. For instance, the regular subscription will increase from $9.99 to $10.99, while the ultimate subscription option will increase from $14.99 to $16.99. On the other hand, Microsoft won’t be changing its PC Game Pass price during this wave of price increases.

In the case that you are already a recurring subscriber, you will see the price increase on August 13 or September 13 in Germany. If you have a subscription using a yearly code, the new pricing will be reflected the next time you purchase a new code. Only new customers will notice the price change on July 6.

The only markets that won’t get affected by the Xbox Game Pass subscription increase include Norway, Chile, Denmark, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia.

Although the price increase for the gaming subscription is not surprising since the company hasn’t changed it since the service was launched more than five years ago, the price increase for the Xbox Series X doesn’t seem something necessary. The reason is that money isn’t so much on the hardware. Instead is on the subscriptions and games.