Microsoft has announced plans for an Xbox Live Gold price increase in the UK, citing "changing market conditions".
From 8 May, the price for an Xbox Live Gold 12-month subscription is set to increase by 25%, rising from £39.99 up to £49.99 and putting it on par with a 12-month PlayStation Plus plan .
Buy an Xbox Live Gold 12-month subscription now to avoid the price hike until 2020
Beyond the 12-month Xbox Live Gold price increase, the following changes are being made to Xbox Live Gold's shorter subscription plans:
Xbox Live Gold 1-month subscription : Currently £5.99, will rise to £6.99
Xbox Live Gold 3-month subscription : Currently £14.99, will rise to £17.99
Xbox Live Gold 6-month subscription : Currently £29.99, will remain the same
Xbox Live Gold 12-month subscription : Currently £39.99, rising to £49.99
Microsoft has warned current subscribers about the impending price increase via email. The full email says:
"As of May 08, the 12-month subscription fee for Xbox Live Gold is increasing from £39.99 to £49.99 to address changing market conditions. All current subscribers will keep their current subscription fee for 90 days. You will be charged the new price effective August 7, 2019 unless you choose to cancel your subscription before the next scheduled payment. For more information: https://support.xbox.com ."
This suggests current subscribers won't need to pay the new prices until after 7 August, and only when their current subscription is due for renewal. If you're paying monthly, you'll pay these new prices sooner. If your subscription runs until next year, you won't be affected until then. Be aware though that if you're on a recurring subscription, and don't want to pay the new prices, you'll need to cancel your plan or you'll be charged automatically.
Following the news, Microsoft told Expert Reviews : "This new pricing is aligned to the changes we made in the region in 2016 as we strive to offer our members premium gaming and entertainment services at a fair price. We have notified members whose accounts are on recurring billing in the UK so they are aware well in advance."
It also suggests that the best way to get value for your money is to buy a 12-month subscription on 7 May, meaning you won't pay any increases until May 2020.
Xbox Live Gold has been the cheaper subscription service of the major gaming giants since 2017, when Sony raised its own PS Plus price to £49.99. At that point, Sony's three-month subscriptions rose from £14.99 to £19.99, and its monthly subscriptions increased from £5.99 to £6.99.
An Xbox Gold Live subscription gives Xbox 360 and Xbox One owners access to online gaming, as well as exclusive deals on the Microsoft Store, cloud saves, capture editing suites and free games via Games with Gold.
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The selection of free games with Xbox Games with Gold changes every first of the month and gives you an Xbox One game and a backwards-compatible Xbox 360 title at the same time. Those are then replaced with another Xbox One and Xbox 360 title mid-month.
By comparison, PlayStation Plus , or PS Plus and PS+, is Sony's own subscription service and (until 8 May) is a tenner more expensive for a 12-month plan than that offered by Xbox Live Gold. In addition to free games, a la Xbox Games with Gold, you get access to online gaming and discounts.
