Microsoft reverses Xbox Live Gold price hike after backlash from gamers

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Microsoft has reversed its decision to increase Xbox Live Gold membership price after a backlash from online gaming community.

"We messed up today and you were right to let us know," the company said in a January 22 blog post titled 'No Changes to Xbox Live Gold Pricing, Free-to-Play Games to be Unlocked [Update]'. "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."

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Xbox Live Gold pricing will remain as: $9.99 for 1-month, $24.99 for 3-month, $39.99 for 6-months, and $59.99 for retail 12-months, in the U.S., Microsoft noted.

The software giant also said that gamers "no longer need" an Xbox Live Gold membership to play free-to-play games such as Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Halo on Xbox.

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Gamers using PlayStation or Nintendo Switch can already play the free-to-play games without a subscription.

Earlier, on Friday, Microsoft had announced the changes to Xbox Live Gold pricing. It had increased the membership prices to $10.99 for 1-month, $29.99 for 3-month, and $59.99 for 6-months.

According to a report by Eurogamer , Microsoft had removed the Xbox Live Gold 12-month subscription option in July last year. So, with the Xbox Live Gold subscription price hike, gamers would have been required to pay double or $119.98 for one year membership.

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Microsoft had also given an option to gamers to upgrade their Gold membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with the remaining Gold time converted directly to Ultimate (up to 36 months).