Just this Friday, Microsoft decided to pull a quick move on its consumer base and planned to increase the price for Xbox Live Gold. The original prices for Xbox Live Gold ranking from 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month would increase respectively. Even more, the firm would additionally double the price of the 12-month subscription as well which met at a hefty $120 a year for Xbox Live Gold.
In past-reference to decisions Microsoft made in the past, most directly being the DRM foundation for Xbox One which sabotaged the launch for the last-generation console, Microsoft is deciding to pull the latest initiative after enough vocal complaints were made online. If that was not enough, Microsoft is doing even more to level its platform with other competitors with online subscription services.
Now in the updated blog post, the original pricing for Xbox Live Gold will remain and the ability to play free-to-play titles on Xbox will not require the service, the update issues.
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.
As Microsoft presses in the update statement, the decision is being retracted and the tiered pricing for Xbox Live Gold is to remain. But for the change that allows free-to-play releases available without the subscription, that will be incorporated in the coming future. It looks Microsoft did not plan to spin on its heel for its consumers and will need additional time to adjust for the new route ahead for Xbox Live Gold.
To keep noted – it is unsure if Microsoft’s schedule leading into 2021 is still to complement the initial plan for Xbox Live Gold. Originally, it was suggested that Microsoft would require better benefits in its online service to validate the price increase. But now that the decision is being pulled, it is undetermined if the entire game plan is being redirected following the update.
Are you excited from the change of heart done by Microsoft?
Source: Xbox Wire
