Xbox Live Gold Price Hike Seems Like a Very Bad Choice
If you are an Xbox owner, you probably know about Xbox Live Gold, the online subscription service that lets you play multiplayer games, get free games every month, and enjoy exclusive discounts. But did you know that Microsoft recently tried to double the price of this service, only to backtrack after a huge fan backlash? In this article, we will explain what happened, why it was a bad move, and how Xbox Live Gold compares to other game subscription services.
What Is Xbox Live Gold and What Are Its Benefits?
Xbox Live Gold is the online subscription service that started in 2002 for the original Xbox, and it allowed players to play multiplayer games online with voice chat. Since then it has offered more benefits such as special discounts and four free Xbox 360, Xbox One or Xbox Series games monthly. Microsoft will cease the inclusion of Xbox 360 games on Oct. 1, saying it reached its limit on bringing games from the older console to its catalog. A subscription for Xbox Live Gold costs $10 per month (with discounts available if you prepay for three, six or 12 months).
Some of the benefits of Xbox Live Gold are:
- Online multiplayer: You can play online with friends and strangers on hundreds of games across different genres and platforms.
- Free monthly games: You can get at least two free games every month (usually one PS5 title and two PS4 titles), which you can keep as long as you’re a subscriber. If you have a PS5, the PS Plus collection adds 20 of the best PS4 games for you to catch up on.
- Exclusive discounts: You can save up to 50% on select games, add-ons, and other digital content in the Microsoft Store.
- Cloud storage: You can store your saved games in the cloud and access them from any console.
What Was the Price Hike Announcement and Why Did It Cause Backlash?
On Friday, Jan. 22, Microsoft announced that it would increase the price of Xbox Live Gold. Under the price hike, a six-month subscription would cost $60, which was previously the price of a one-year subscription. There was no longer a 12-month option, meaning that the cheapest one-year subscription would be two six-month packages for a total of $120. This was a significant increase from the previous price of $60 per year.
The announcement caused a lot of anger and frustration among Xbox fans, who felt that Microsoft was trying to rip them off and force them to switch to a more expensive service (more on that later). Some of the criticisms were:
- The price hike was too high and too sudden, especially during a pandemic and an economic recession.
- The new price was not competitive with other game subscription services, such as PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online.
- The new price was not justified by the quality or quantity of the service’s offerings.
- The new price still required users to pay for online access to free-to-play games, such as Fortnite and Apex Legends.
What Was Microsoft’s Response and Reversal?
Just hours after announcing the price hike, Microsoft issued an update reversing its decision[^ 5^]. In the update, Microsoft apologized for the mistake and said that it would not change the price of Xbox Live Gold. It also said that it would remove the requirement for Xbox Live Gold to play free-to-play games, which would benefit more than 50 million players. Microsoft thanked the community for their feedback and said that it would continue to listen and improve its services. The reversal was welcomed by many Xbox fans, who praised Microsoft for listening to them and correcting its error. Some of the positive reactions were:
- Microsoft made a mistake, but they owned up to it and fixed it quickly. That’s commendable.
- Microsoft showed that they care about their customers and their opinions. They are not greedy or arrogant.
- Microsoft proved that they are flexible and adaptable. They are not afraid to change their plans when they see a better option.
Xbox Live Gold vs. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
One of the reasons why Microsoft may have tried to increase the price of Xbox Live Gold was to encourage users to upgrade to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a more comprehensive and expensive service that includes Xbox Live Gold and other benefits. But what is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and how does it compare to Xbox Live Gold?
What Is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and What Are Its Advantages Over Xbox Live Gold?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the ultimate game subscription service that combines Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass for PC, and EA Play. It costs $15 per month (with discounts available if you prepay for three or six months).
Some of the advantages of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate over Xbox Live Gold are:
- Access to over 100 high-quality games for console, PC, and Android devices, including new releases from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks on the day they launch.
- Access to over 60 EA games on console and PC, including FIFA 21, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and The Sims 4.
- Exclusive member discounts and deals on games, add-ons, and consumables.
- Free perks such as in-game content, consumables, and partner offers.
How Does the Price Comparison Work Between the Two Services?
If you only want to play online multiplayer games and get free monthly games, then Xbox Live Gold may be enough for you. However, if you want to play a variety of games across different devices and genres, then Xbox Game Pass Ultimate may be a better value for you. Here is a table that compares the prices of the two services:
Service | Monthly Price | Yearly Price | Games Included |
---|---|---|---|
Xbox Live Gold | $10 | $60 | 4 free games per month (48 per year) |
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $15 | $180 | Over 100 games for console, PC, and Android devices (plus EA Play) |
As you can see, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is more expensive than Xbox Live Gold, but it also offers more games and features. Depending on how much you play and what kind of games you like, you may find that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is worth the extra cost.
Why Did Microsoft Try to Push Users to Upgrade to Game Pass Ultimate?
Microsoft has been investing heavily in its game subscription service, acquiring studios such as Bethesda Softworks, Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, and Double Fine Productions. It has also been expanding its cloud gaming service, which allows users to stream games from the cloud to their devices without downloading them. Microsoft’s goal is to make gaming more accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of their hardware or location. By increasing the price of Xbox Live Gold, Microsoft may have hoped that more users would switch to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which would generate more revenue and loyalty for Microsoft.
Xbox Live Gold vs. Other Game Subscription Services
Xbox Live Gold is not the only game subscription service in the market. There are other alternatives on other platforms and devices that offer different features, prices, and games. How do they compare to Xbox Live Gold?
What Are the Alternatives to Xbox Live Gold on Other Platforms and Devices?
Some of the alternatives to Xbox Live Gold are:
- PlayStation Plus: The online subscription service for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. It costs $10 per month (with discounts available if you prepay for three, six or 12 months). It offers online multiplayer, free monthly games, exclusive discounts, cloud storage, and access to the PS Plus collection (a library of 20 PS4 games for PS5 users).
- Nintendo Switch Online: The online subscription service for Nintendo Switch consoles. It costs $4 per month (with discounts available if you prepay for three, six or 12 months). It offers online multiplayer, free access to classic NES and SNES games, exclusive offers, cloud backup, and voice chat via smartphone app.
- Apple Arcade: The game subscription service for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS devices. It costs $5 per month (with a one-month free trial). It offers access to over 180 games across different genres and categories, with no ads or in-app purchases.
- Google Stadia: The cloud gaming service that lets you play games on your TV, computer, or mobile device without a console or downloads. It costs $10 per month (with a one-month free trial). It offers access to a library of games that you can stream in up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, with HDR and surround sound. You can also buy games individually and play them without a subscription.
How Do They Compare in Terms of Features, Prices, and Games?
Each game subscription service has its own strengths and weaknesses, depending on what you are looking for. Here is a table that compares some of the key aspects of each service: