Tue Oct 07 23:20:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Microsoft is delaying the planned price increases for existing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers in certain European countries (like Germany, Ireland, Poland, Italy) and South Korea due to local regulations. New subscribers in these regions will see the increased price, but current subscribers on auto-renew will maintain their current rate for now. Microsoft promises at least 60 days’ notice before any price adjustments take effect for these existing subscribers. This is a change from the initial announcement that all subscribers would see the price increase starting October 1st for new subscribers and November 4th for existing subscribers.
**News Article:**
**Microsoft Halts Game Pass Price Hikes for Existing Subscribers in Select European and Asian Markets**
REDMOND, WA – Microsoft is delaying the rollout of its announced price increases for existing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers in select countries, including Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and South Korea, citing local regulations.
The company confirmed that while new subscribers in these regions will be subject to the announced price hikes, existing subscribers on auto-recurring plans will continue to be charged their current rate “for now.”
“Our recent Game Pass update remains unchanged. Current subscribers in certain countries will continue renewing at their existing price for now, in line with local requirements. We’ll provide advance notice before price adjustments take effect in these countries,” said Kari Perez, head of Xbox communications, in a statement.
The decision appears to stem from regulations governing subscription price changes in the affected countries. Existing subscribers will receive “at least 60 days in advance” notification of any future price adjustments. This marks a shift from Microsoft’s prior announcement, which stated that all existing subscribers would see the price increase at their next billing cycle beginning November 4th.
Subscribers in the U.S. and UK are not affected by this temporary delay. The price increases are still expected to take effect as previously announced in those regions.
First Piper 