Microsoft Delays Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Increase for Some Regions – U.S. and UK Excluded

Microsoft’s latest Xbox Game Pass controversy has taken an unexpected turn. After igniting widespread backlash over its sharp subscription price hike, the company has quietly delayed the increase in several countries – though U.S.

and U.K. gamers won’t see any reprieve. The tech giant confirmed that in markets like Ireland and South Korea, existing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will continue paying the old price for now, as long as their auto-renewal remains active.

The story began when Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate would jump from $19.99 to $29.99 per month – a 50% increase that stunned even loyal fans. For many, the additional $120 per year felt excessive, especially as Game Pass has long been praised for offering affordable access to a vast library of games. Microsoft defended the move by citing new perks: a broader catalog with 75 annual day-one releases, the addition of Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics, and higher-quality streaming for Xbox Cloud Gaming.

“The expanded catalog, new partner benefits, and upgraded cloud experience justify the price,” Microsoft claimed. But fans didn’t agree. A massive IGN poll with over 41,000 participants revealed that more than half of respondents (53.9%) now planned to cancel their Game Pass subscriptions entirely. Only 19.9% said they’d stick with Ultimate despite the cost surge. The price change took effect on October 1 for new members and was scheduled for November 4 for existing ones – until Microsoft’s quiet adjustment in certain regions.

In emails sent to subscribers in affected countries, Microsoft clarified that existing members would not face the new rate unless they canceled and rejoined later. The company later confirmed to The Verge that the delay was due to “local requirements,” hinting at consumer protection laws mandating notice periods before price changes. Unfortunately, that safeguard doesn’t extend to the U.S. or U.K., where the new $30 per month pricing remains in full force. “Current subscribers in certain countries will continue renewing at their existing price for now,” Microsoft said. “We’ll provide advance notice before adjustments take effect.”

The phrase “for now” leaves little doubt – the higher price is inevitable. Microsoft’s regional pause is temporary, a compliance move rather than a policy shift. In short, it’s not if the increase arrives globally, but when. To make matters worse for subscribers, Microsoft recently removed the Game Pass discount on downloadable content (DLC) purchases, replacing it with additional Microsoft Rewards points. The reception to that change has been equally cold, as players see it as yet another erosion of Game Pass value.

This price uproar is part of a broader pattern. Microsoft has faced repeated criticism over rising costs across its gaming ecosystem. Earlier this year, the company flirted with raising the standard retail price of upcoming first-party games to $80 but eventually settled on $70 following backlash. In September, the company cited “macroeconomic conditions” to justify increasing console prices in the U.S., while its partnership with ASUS raised eyebrows with $999.99 for the ROG Xbox Ally X and $599.99 for its base version. Even as Xbox continues to expand its gaming services and hardware range, the growing sense among fans is that loyalty now comes with an increasingly steep price tag.

For players in Ireland, South Korea, and other delayed markets, the temporary reprieve feels like a small victory – but one tinged with inevitability. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that the golden age of all-you-can-play subscriptions might be fading into something far more expensive.