Microsoft hikes prices of Xbox Series X, Game Pass globally

The Xbox Series X will get costlier starting August this year. In Europe, Microsoft console’s price goes up to EUR 549.99PHP 33,883USD 577INR 48,943CNY 4,206—a hundred euros jump from its current retail price EUR 449.99PHP 27,722USD 472INR 40,044CNY 3,441.

In today’s conversion, that’s about PHP 6,000USD 102INR 8,668EUR 97CNY 745 price increase. The console price hike applies to most countries on August 1 excluding US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia.

Xbox Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate monthly subscription prices will also increase. The baseline Game Pass goes up to USD 10.99PHP 645INR 931EUR 10CNY 80 per month from USD 9.99PHP 586INR 847EUR 10CNY 73. While the Game Pass Ultimate hikes to USD 16.99PHP 997INR 1,440EUR 16CNY 124 a month from USD 14.99PHP 880INR 1,270EUR 14CNY 109.

New Game Pass members will see the new prices as soon as next month on July 6th. While existing monthly subscribers can expect the new recurring prices on August 13th, or September 13th for gamers based in Germany.

For yearly subscriptions, the price hike only applies until they renew subscription.

Thankfully, Microsoft won’t be making any price hike for the PC Game Pass.

Kari Perez, head of communications for Xbox, told The Verge that the recent Xbox Game Pass price adjustments were not connected to Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, but rather were intended to align with local market conditions.

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It is worth noting that Xbox Game Pass pricing has not been increased since its launch in 2017.

This approach is also reflected in its console prices, as the Xbox Series X now matches the PlayStation 5 price in most markets.