Update: Xbox Live Gold Has Gone Up in Price, and People Are Not Happy

Update: Microsoft has rolled back the previously announced price increases for Xbox Live Gold and made some changes to the service. You can find Microsoft’s full statement at the bottom of this article.   

Pretty much since its inception, Xbox users have been required to pay a fee to access online features of games. As that is a massive part of the gaming space, this subscription is mandatory for anyone who wants to play with friends or in multiplayer sections of games like Call of Duty. It’s definitely proven annoying given that platforms like PlayStation and PC don’t require this, but $60 each year wasn’t too bad. Starting soon though, it won’t be so simple. The Microsoft Xbox team has announced today that Xbox Live Gold will be doubling in price.

This means that very soon, you’ll be paying $120 each year to experience the online features of your Xbox console. While that might not sound too bad on paper, people are (understandably) quite upset about this change. Realistically speaking, nothing is being added to the experience that would warrant a price double like the one they’re doing. It’s just the same thing, only increased because Microsoft likely wants to pocket more money.

People on Twitter are expressing frustration over all this, and they have every right to. When you’re the only platform that requires payment to play free-to-play games, you have to make sure it’s at least fair or people will be up in arms. One can just hope that Microsoft decides to revert this change, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

Despite all this, I’d like to hear your thoughts on this change. Do you think it’s okay for them to double Xbox Live Gold in price? Should they just remove it outright? Let us know in the comments below.

Microsoft Backtracks Price Increase and Makes Statement to Fans

“We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of gaming and we failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day. As a result, we have decided not to change Xbox Live Gold pricing.

We’re turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience. For free-to-play games, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox. We are working hard to deliver this change as soon as possible in the coming months.

If you are an Xbox Live Gold member already, you stay at your current price for renewal. 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 retail 12-months,” from an update to a post on the Official Xbox news site.