Microsoft has just announced a resounding turnaround after yesterday’s statements on the price increase of Xbox Live Gold. In fact, it seems that the company has revoked its decision, and will not change the price of the subscription service.
Additionally, free-to-play games will no longer require an Xbox Live Gold membership in order to be played on its Microsoft consoles. Phil Spencer himself took to Twitter to apologize for the “angst and emotion” the initial announcement caused users and said the company will learn from this in the future. These are the words of the company on its official blog post:
We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of gaming and we failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day. As a result, we have decided not to change Xbox Live Gold pricing.
We’re turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience. For free-to-play games, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox. We are working hard to deliver this change as soon as possible in the coming months.
If you are an Xbox Live Gold member already, you stay at your current price for renewal. New and existing members can continue to enjoy Xbox Live Gold for the same prices they pay today. In the US, $9.99 for 1-month, $24.99 for 3-months, $39.99 for 6-months and $59.99 for retail 12-months.
Thank you.
Microsoft’s step back could open a sensational precedent in the gaming industry. In fact, after numerous complaints from subscribers, the company decided to change a decision it had already made, listening to feedback and reviewing its policies. We will see how this issue evolves in the future, and if other companies follow the same path of proximity to their user base.
