No changes to Xbox Live Gold pricing, free games need to be unlocked [Update]

[UPDATED on 1/22/2021 at 8:52 PM PT]

We screwed it up today and you were right to inform us. Connecting and playing with friends is an integral part of gaming and we haven’t met the expectations of the gamers who count on it every day. For this reason we have decided not to change the prices for Xbox Live Gold.

We’re making this moment an opportunity to better tailor Xbox Live to the way we see the gamer at the center of their experience. Free games no longer require you to be an Xbox Live Gold member to play these games on Xbox. We are working hard to implement this change as soon as possible in the coming months.

If you are already an Xbox Live Gold member, keep your current renewal price. New and existing members can continue to enjoy Xbox Live Gold for the same prices they pay today. In the US $ 9.99 for 1 month, $ 24.99 for 3 months, $ 39.99 for 6 months, and $ 59.99 for 12 months in retail stores.

Many Thanks.

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Since we launched Xbox Live (18 years ago!), We’ve worked to make it the most advanced multiplayer network available for the largest community of gamers – and there are many of you. Millions of people come together on Xbox to play with friends and discover great games. We invest in our community by strengthening the digital security of our players, enabling new ways to share, communicate and play with your friends, and ensure industry-leading reliability on our network.

We periodically evaluate the value and prices of our services to reflect changes in regional marketplaces and to continue investing in the Xbox community. We will be making price adjustments for Xbox Live Gold in select markets. In many markets, the price of Xbox Live Gold hasn’t changed in years, and in some markets it hasn’t changed in over 10 years.

What does that mean for you?

• If you’re already a 12-month or 6-month online Xbox Live Gold member, there is no price change. If you want to renew your membership, it will be extended to you current price.
• The price of a 1 month Gold membership increases by USD 1 and the price of a 3 month membership increases by USD 5 or the equivalent in your local market.
• If you choose to upgrade your Gold membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, your remaining Gold time will also be converted directly to Ultimate (up to 36 months). For example, if you now have 11 months of Xbox Live Gold and you upgrade to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, those 11 months will be converted to 11 Months Ultimate at no additional cost.

In some regions, members have already been notified. If you are in a region where prices are changing, you will receive an email and a notification in the Message Center next month informing you of the new prices for your membership. Going forward, the new pricing is 1 month for $ 10.99, 3 months for $ 29.99, and 6 months for $ 59.99 or your local market equivalent. You can visit your account at any time to manage your membership. Prices will not be adjusted until 45 days after receiving the news.