Microsoft confirmed its plans to raise the price of the Xbox Series X in select countries worldwide, alongside an increase in the monthly cost of the Game Pass Ultimate subscription. This decision follows a similar move by Sony with the PlayStation 5 in 2022. Microsoft emphasized that these changes are unrelated to the acquisition of Activision Blizzard and are instead aimed at aligning with local market conditions.

Microsoft announces price hikes for Xbox Series X and Game Pass Ultimate

Starting August 1, the Xbox Series X will see a price adjustment in various regions. In the United Kingdom, the price will be set at £479.99, while most European markets will experience a shift to €549.99. In Canada, the new price will be CAD 649.99, and in Australia, it will be AUD 799.99. Notably, the pricing for the Xbox Series S console will remain unchanged, remaining at $249.99 across all markets.

Furthermore, Game Pass Ultimate will increase from $14.99 to $16.99 per month. Similarly, the base Xbox Game Pass for Console subscription will rise from $9.99 to $10.99 monthly. However, the pricing for PC Game Pass will remain unaffected. Adjustments to the pricing of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for Console are set to take effect on July 6.

Existing subscribers of Game Pass will be subject to the new recurring prices on August 13, except for subscribers in Germany, whose new pricing will apply on September 13. New Game Pass members will experience the revised prices immediately on July 6. For those using yearly codes to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, the new pricing will only take effect upon their subscription renewal.

Microsoft emphasizes that these adjustments mark the first Xbox Game Pass pricing changes since its launch in 2017. The company is keen to stress that the price increases are intended to align with local market conditions and should not be attributed to the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard.