Microsoft increases Xbox Live Gold price in the UK
12-month subscription goes from £39.99 to £49.99 to "address changing market conditions"
The price of a 12-month Xbox Live Gold subscription in the UK will increase next month from £39.99 to £49.99.
Monthly subscriptions will go from £5.99 to £6.99, and three-month subscriptions will rise from £14.99 to £17.99. However, six-month memberships will remain £29.99 as they are currently.
This is according to emails sent out to Xbox Live Gold members in the UK over the last few days, in which Microsoft said the rising prices were to "address changing marketing conditions."
In a statement to Eurogamer, Microsoft offered the following explanation for the price hike:
"To ensure gamers have consistent pricing for Xbox Live Gold across Europe, we are making changes to UK pricing from May 8th. 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."
Though this change is confirmed, a separate rumor has been reported by outlets such as The Verge today that Microsoft will soon be combining the Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold subscriptions into a single service, which would be priced at $14.99 per month (likely close to £9.99 or £10.99).