Microsoft is making significant changes to Game Pass subscriptions in South Africa, including price hikes and a new subscription tier. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
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While not explicitly confirmed, Microsoft’s approach in 2023 suggests existing subscribers might see price hikes later this year. In June 2023, existing Ultimate subscribers faced a 7.75% increase.
Price Increases Effective September 12th, 2024 (New Subscribers):
- PC Game Pass: Up from R79 to R119 per month (47% increase)
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Up from R129 to R199 per month (over 50% increase)
- Game Pass Core (Yearly): Up from R479 to R799
A new “Standard” tier will be introduced, offering a lower price point but without day-one access to new first-party Xbox games. The South African pricing is yet to be announced (US price: $14.99, roughly R271).
Microsoft is retiring the “Game Pass for Console” option for new subscribers. Existing subscribers with automatic renewal will not be affected. However, those who lapse will need to switch to a different plan (like the new Standard tier) to regain access. Notably, the Standard tier includes online console multiplayer access, which “Game Pass for Console” lacked.
This marks the second price increase for Game Pass in South Africa within a year. In June 2023, Ultimate saw a 7.75% increase. PC Game Pass remained unchanged at R79 until this announcement.
Game Pass offers a vast library of downloadable and streamable games for a monthly subscription fee. The Core and Ultimate tiers also include online console multiplayer access.
