Last week, Microsoft introduced a huge overhaul to Xbox Game Pass that revamped the subscription service with more widespread access on Windows PCs and Xbox Cloud gaming, as well as renamed tiers and price hikes to both PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – the company’s website collapsed for being extremely controversial.
Now, in the wake of the gaming community’s bloated reaction to the changes, Microsoft is delaying its ultimate $10 Xbox game price increase in some countries. The company appears to be hitting the brakes on the updated cost in European countries in particular; In the US and UK, users will still have to pay the new higher price.
The news came in an email that Microsoft sent to Game Pass subscribers overnight, informing those in regions where the delay applies that they will not have to pay a higher cost for Ultimate for now.
Notably, this delay appears indefinite, although it has been pointed out that it only applies to subscribers who were already signed up for Game Pass Ultimate before the price hike and maintain an auto-renewing subscription. If you cancel your subscription at any time, you will have to pay the new prices if you wish to subscribe.
“At this time, these increases will only affect new purchases and will not affect your current subscription for the market you reside in, as long as you are on an automatic recurring plan,” Microsoft explained in the email. “If you choose to cancel your plan and buyout, you will be charged at the new current rate.”
The company then promised that users in markets where the increase was delayed will be notified of the end of this hold – or any other Xbox Game price adjustment – 60 days in advance. This means that the current delay will last at least Two months, and probably considerably longer.
“If for any reason there may be changes to your existing account, we will notify you 60 days in advance and you will have the opportunity to cancel or change your subscription plan at any time,” Microsoft noted.
It appears there are regulations on subscription service cost adjustments that have forced the company’s hand, and that the delay is not in response to scathing negative feedback.
As for the reasoning behind The delay, a statement provided to the verge confirms that it came into force due to “local requirements” in the regions that it is also applicable. “Current subscribers in select countries will continue to renew at their existing price for now, in accordance with local requirements,” a Microsoft spokesperson said.
In other words, it appears there are regulations on subscription service cost adjustments that have forced the company’s hand, and the delay is not in response to scathing negative comments; If that were the case, you’d also expect to see it coming to the US and UK.
Windows Central has also contacted the company for comment, and I will update this article if we receive some responses.
Will Microsoft be counter-backpedal when prices rise?
The delay is good news for everyone in the few countries where it is applicable. That said, it is also disappointing for those who notleaving many to wonder if Microsoft will be open to reconsidering raising prices in a way that the law dictates.
Ultimately, only time will provide an answer to this question. As Windows Central editor-in-chief Jez Corden described at length last week, the increase could be a consequence of Ultimate’s huge Spring-Summer quarter and the expected costs of fostering game-heavy seasons like this moving forward.
The delay is good news for everyone in the few countries where it is applicable. That said, it’s also disappointing for those who aren’t, leaving many wondering whether Microsoft will be open to reconsidering the price hike in a way beyond what the law dictates.
Ultimately, we can see Xbox Game Pass’s pricing of Ultimate where it is, with users reluctantly accepting it if it means they’ll continue to get a wide variety of great games like they did in 2025. Alternatively, Microsoft May Backpedal, returning Ultimate at a lower cost but potentially limiting the amount of build at customers’ end.
Never mind The future looks like, it’s a good idea to land an Xbox Pass Ultimate Gaming Subscription time now while you can still find gift cards for the old price of $19.99/month. If you have a solid gaming PC or gaming laptop, you can also swap to PC Game Pass like I did; Provided you have a system for using it, I’d say it stole ultimate’s “best gaming deal” crown.
Subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and play an Xbox game every day, however you want, on Xbox consoles, PC or even via the cloud on a wide range of devices. Going with this level means you never miss anything that comes to the service.
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