A new update from Microsoft has revealed that the price of a monthly Xbox Live Gold subscription is set to increase from R50 to R159 in South Africa.
In an email sent to subscribers, Microsoft has clarified that the price of an Xbox Live Gold subscription set to monthly auto-renewal will increase from R50 to R159 ZAR – a whopping 218% increase.
The company took to Twitter to confirm that the increase is “being updated to provide a balance of service and value, and (to) meet currency fluctuations.”
Read: Xbox One backwards compatibility now supports multi-disc games
The new pricing will take effect from the 20th of June, after which consumers with an Xbox Live Gold subscription set to monthly auto-renewal will be charged R159 ZAR per month.
The company’s @XboxZA Twitter account replied to damaging queries on the social network throughout the night as many gamers voiced their outrage over the massive price increase.
Put through the calculator, the change amounts to a year’s worth of subscription totaling R1908, up from R600 ZAR.
In comparison, Microsoft’s closest rival Sony charges R99 ZAR per month for access to its PlayStation Network.
The Xbox team have further clarified that no new key features, updates nor services are intended to offer new value to the increased monthly subscription price.
Microsoft have, so far, not provided any new information surrounding the pricing structure of alternative plans – namely, the three, six, and twelve month offerings the company as made available in addition to the option to pay for the service through monthly auto-renewal.
Read: Xbox One Slim rumoured for mid-year release
What are your thoughts on the price increase set to hit the Xbox Live Gold subscription fee? Are you prepared to pay, our do you plan to cancel your subscription to the service altogether?
Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
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Source: XboxZA
