Xbox Game Pass Prices See Significant Increase in South Africa

Xbox Game Pass price hike South Africa: Microsoft has announced big price rises for Game Pass, its Netflix-style subscription service for games.

These new prices will go into effect on 12 September across all regions. The price of Game Pass Ultimate will jump by 54.2% from September, from R129 to R199/month.

Xbox Game Pass Price Hike South Africa

The price of Game Pass Core, which provides a more limited experience, will rise from R479/year to R799/year, a 66.8% increase.

This change comes after Microsoft announced in May that its most eagerly awaited new title – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – would be available straight away to Game Pass subscribers.

The price hikes, although introduced in a range of markets around the world, including the US, are particularly severe in South Africa, and come despite an exchange rate that has maintained relative stability versus the euro and the dollar in the past year.

Microsoft has also announced changes to the pricing for PC Game Pass in a number of markets, including South Africa. New “members” to PC Game Pass will pay R119/month, up from R79 previously. That compares to $11.99 (roughly R218) in the US, up from $9.99.

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A one-month pass to Game Pass Core will rise from R79 to R99, while a three-month pass goes from R199 to R249 and a six-month pass from R319 to R399.

New Structure For Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft will also launch a Standard Game Pass subscription that doesn’t offer day-one access to first-party Xbox games.

However, it hasn’t specified South African pricing for the new subscription tier in its new pricing list. When available, users in the US can subscribe for $14.99 (R271) per month.

Microsoft will also remove the Game Pass Console option for new subscribers.

The company said, “If you are currently subscribed to Xbox Game Pass for Console and have automatic payment renewal enabled, you will be able to continue to enjoy your membership.”

“If at any time you turn off your automatic payment renewal and your membership lapses, you will no longer have access to Game Pass for Console and will need to join one of the other plans we offer for Game Pass.”