12-month Xbox Live Gold price to rise by 25% in UK

Microsoft has confirmed plans to increase UK Xbox Live Gold subscription prices by up to 25 per cent beginning in May 2019.

The news emerged after Microsoft began contacting customers whose accounts are on recurring billing to inform them of the upcoming changes.

From May 8, the monthly subscription price will rise by £1 to £6.99, the quarterly subscription price will increase by £3 to £17.99, and the 12-month subscription price will jump by £10 to £49.99. Microsoft didn’t announce plans to change the existing six-month subscription price of £29.99.

A Microsoft spokesperson said the move was being made to “ensure gamers have consistent pricing for Xbox Live Gold across Europe”.

“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,” they added.

Following the price increases, monthly and annual Xbox Live Gold subscriptions will cost the same as their PlayStation Plus equivalents, while at £17.99, a three-month Xbox Live Gold subscription will be £2 cheaper than a three-month PlayStation Plus one.

Xbox Live Gold is required to play Xbox games online. It also offers members up to four free games every month, and discounts of up to 75% on Xbox One products in Microsoft Store.

April’s free Xbox Live Gold games are Technomancer, Outcast – Second Contact, Star Wars Battlefront II and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2.