Xbox Live Gold: Microsoft turnaround, no increase and free-to-play for free

Microsoft products a few minutes ago announced a resounding turnaround after yesterday's statements on the price increase of Xbox Live Gold. In fact, it appears that the company has revoked its decision, e the price of the subscription service will not change. Also, the titles free-to-play will no longer require an Xbox Live Gold membership in order to be played on its consoles. The Phil Spencer he turned to Twitter to apologize for the "distress and upset" the initial announcement caused users, and said the company will learn from this for the future. These are the words of the company:

Apologies for all the angst and emotion this caused today for our customers. As always, we appreciate the feedback. This is a good learning opportunity for us and we will learn from it.

- Phil Spencer (@ XboxP3) January 23, 2021

We made a mistake today and you did well to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of the game and we have failed to meet the expectations of the players who count on us every day. Consequently, we have decided not to do this. We will not change the price of Xbox Live Gold. We're turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience. The free-to-play games will be truly free, and you no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox. We are working hard to make this change happen as soon as possible in the coming months. If you are already an Xbox Live Gold member, stay at the current price for renewal. New and existing members can continue to enjoy the service for the same prices they pay today. In the US, $ 9,99 for 1 month, $ 24,99 for 3 months, $ 39,99 for 6 months, and $ 59,99 for 12 months at retail.

Microsoft's step backwards could open a sensational precedent in the gaming industry. In fact, after numerous complaints from subscribers, the company decided to change a decision it had already taken, listening to feedback and reviewing their policies. We will see how the issue evolves in the future, and if other companies follow the same path of proximity to their user base.