Xbox Live Subscription Price to Increase November 1
Fans of Microsoft's Xbox Live gaming service are about to pay more for the perks of an Xbox Live Gold subscription. Starting on November 1, the price of the service will increase by $10.
The news comes as a bit of a shock to Xbox 360 users , as can be seen in the comments section of the announcement. Xbox Live Gold subscriptions have been $50 per year for the last eight years; now it will be $60 per year. One month subscriptions will jump from $8 to $10, and three month subscriptions will go from $20 to $25.
If customers renew their subscriptions before November 1, they will not have to pay extra until their subscription comes due the following year.
Microsoft emphasized that $60 was still a great deal for all the services provided in a Gold membership. Jesse Divnich, member of gaming analyst firm EEDAR, released a statement accompanying the price change announcement echoing Microsoft's point of view.
"When originally launched in 2002, a Gold subscription cost the same as an AAA video game, $49.99. When taking into account for inflation ($50 in 2002 is roughly $60 in 2010) and the additional services available to Gold subscribers in 2010, such as ESPN, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Last.fm and Video Kinect, a $10 price increase still represents an incredible value to consumers."
Regardless of the value , it would be smart to renew your subscription now instead of November.
