Plot twist: Xbox Live Gold will not get a price increase. If Microsoft backpedaled any harder they could probably fix that Xbox One online-only mistake as well. In a move only precedented by said Xbox One launch faux-pas, Microsoft now reversed their Xbox Live Gold price increase within 12 hours.
So just hours ago, Microsoft revealed that they were going to increase the price of Xbox Live Gold to $59.99 for 6 months. You can read the original story here.
Now Microsoft revealed that, well... they F'd up. They reversed the decision and will offer Xbox Live Gold for the same price it's always been.
Microsoft: "Sorry for Xbox Live Gold Pricing Chaos. Have some Free Games."
Here's Microsoft's full statement on the (frankly hilarious) Xbox Live Gold pricing fiasco:
"We messed up today and you were right to let us know (...) we failed to meet the expectations of players (...) 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. Free-to-play games will truly be free and you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox (...)
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."
Yup. Looks like we should call companies out on their mistakes more often: Not only are we getting Xbox Live Gold for the usual pricing, no, we also finally get to play f2p games without an Xbox Live Gold membership.
In simpler terms, that means that Fortnite, Warzone, Apex Legends and the likes can now be played without an Xbox Live Gold membership.
Apologies for all the angst and emotion this caused today for our customers. As always, we appreciate the feedback. This is a good learning opportunity for us and we will learn from it.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) January 23, 2021
READ MORE:
- Xbox Games with Gold for February 2021: Gears 5, Indiana Jones and MORE!
- Xbox Live Gold Price Increase: You Can Still Get it Cheap Here!
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