If you are an Xbox LIVE Gold subscriber you are used to the idea of paying $49.99 a year to access features such as on-line multiplayer, Netflix, Deal of the Week, etc. Well it appears Microsoft has decided that with all the new features coming with the new dashboard update and Kinect that your paltry $49.99 is no longer sufficient.

Microsoft announced today in e-mails to subscribers that they are raising the price of an Xbox LIVE Gold subscription to $59.99 a year from the previous $49.99. The lesser options have also increased across the board. One month has risen from $7.99 to $9.99 and three months has gone from $19.99 to $24.99.

The reasoning in the e-mail seems to point clearly at the new features of Video Kinect, ESPN and the upcoming arrival of Hulu Plus in 2011. In order to help with the shock of the price increase Microsoft is currently offering a 12 month extension for $39.99. In order to get the deal you will have to act soon because the new prices begin on November 1, 2010.

I personally find this an odd time to choose to raise the price of Xbox LIVE Gold. The three features mentioned are all something that not everyone will be able to use. Suddenly PlayStation Network is starting to look a little better in comparison.

Hit the jump to view the full e-mail.

Thank you for being a valued member of Xbox LIVE Gold. We hope you are enjoying the many exciting and exclusive features that are included in your membership. We wanted to let you know about an upcoming price increase for your Xbox LIVE Gold subscription and how you can lock in your current price to continue enjoying everything you've come to love about Xbox LIVE, plus all the upcoming additions including ESPN and Hulu Plus.

Over the past seven years, Xbox LIVE has evolved from an online gaming platform to an all-in-one gaming and entertainment service. As an Xbox LIVE Gold member, you can not only play blockbuster games, such as Halo: Reach with your friends online, you can also stream movies from Netflix* and music from Last.fm right to your TV. You can even connect with friends near and far on Facebook® and Twitter™. Plus, you also enjoy exclusive discounts and early access to game demos.

And we aren't even close to being done. This holiday, Xbox LIVE is adding new Gold features, including ESPN and Video Kinect, with Hulu Plus coming on Xbox LIVE in 2011.

• With ESPN on Xbox LIVE, you can stream and watch over 3,500 live and on-demand sporting events plus highlights.*
• Video Kinect allows you to chat with family and friends on the big screen, right from the comfort of your living room—no headset or controller required.*
• With Hulu Plus on Xbox LIVE you will be able to enjoy a customized Hulu Plus experience that will include Kinect navigation and Xbox LIVE Parties*

Besides launching the new features and titles, we will also be increasing the price of Gold membership on November 1, 2010. The new prices are as follows:

• 1-Month Gold Subscription
  • Old Price: $7.99
  • New Price: $9.99
• 3-Month Gold Subscription
  • Old Price: $19.99
  • New Price: $24.99
• 12-Month Gold Subscription
  • Old Price: $49.99
  • New Price: $59.99

At only $5 per month, our 12-month offer continues to be your best value. And, because you are a loyal member, we want to give you the opportunity to lock in your current price with an additional discount. Click here or log on to Xbox LIVE from your console to review and take advantage of these limited time offers.

We hope that you will continue to enjoy all the great gaming, entertainment, and social experiences that Xbox LIVE has to bring today—and in the future.

Sincerely,

The Xbox LIVE Team

Comments (17)

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MiloPo said:

... My Live account just expired. I hardly use it as it is and resubscribing always takes me a while before I feel it is worth it. Now I think it will take me even longer because I don't use half the features, especially the ones listed as being the cause of the price increase.

August 30, 2010

Bucho the Great said:

... I really think this is because of the $100 Family memberships they are going to be pushing. I think it makes it easier to sell when the individual fee is now $60. I know I'll be buying a family pack of live this Christmas for my household.

August 30, 2010

Hellsing said:

... Two of the main features offered I can't get or could give a shit about. Nice bait and switch from M$.

August 30, 2010

Dew said:

... M$ just keeps giving me more reasons to not buy a 360.

August 30, 2010

curlyktk said:

... This is BS, just got home and as soon as I saw this I went to Amazon.com and got a renew card for $39.99. My subscription expires in November.

August 30, 2010

Golf Rat said:

... You can't hate Microsoft for this. They have by far the best online service. I just bought mine for $39 at Amazon. Can't live without it.

August 30, 2010

Paradise555 said:

... is the espn in canada too?

August 30, 2010

boninox said:

... I don't mind paying a little extra for a good service , after all I heard some rumors about netflix coming to europa ? if so I will go trough the rough of happyness!

August 31, 2010

musicaddict1389 said:

... I agree with @Bucho the Great, but i dont plan to pay the extra, gonna search for some good deals they are always out there i dont think that the extra $10 is worth it

August 31, 2010

Stallmeplease said:

... i damn near fell outta my seat

August 31, 2010

Black Adam said:

... I'm surprised they've gone this long without an increase.

August 31, 2010

Mishra said:

... That whole last half is utter (insert your favorite explicit word(s) here)! How excited are all of you xbox fanboys for the Kinect now??? For those who don't know, Sony's Move is releasing AND their online play is still free.

August 31, 2010

Dark Hammer X said:

... @ Mishra, What does Xbox live costs have to do with Kinect? This post is about software costs not Kinect Hardware. Anyway, as an "Xbox Fanboy", I realize that as long as Sony & Nintendo continue to offer crappy online services, Microsoft can easily get away with this increase. Xbox Live offers features that you can't get anywhere else. Besides, only an idiot wouldn't know how to shop for better live subscription deals online (i.e. Amazon, Walmart, etc).

August 31, 2010

Dark Hammer X said:

... @ Mishra, What does Xbox live costs have to do with Kinect? This post is about software costs not Kinect Hardware. Anyway, as an "Xbox Fanboy", I realize that as long as Sony & Nintendo continue to offer crappy online services, Microsoft can easily get away with this increase. Xbox Live offers features that you can't get anywhere else. Besides, only an idiot wouldn't know how to shop for better live subscription deals online (i.e. Amazon, Walmart, etc).

August 31, 2010

coolkev1701 said:

... Microsoft has the best online service and they know it. That's why they raised the subscription price, and they'll keep raising it. Eventually, we'll be paying $100 a year for it.

September 01, 2010

madman225 said:

... Just bought my last xbl sub card from Amazon. Last year paying for something i barely use. And as far as best online service please make sure you put the word console behind online cause steam and dedicated servers smash live straight in the mouth.

September 02, 2010

Mishra said:

... @ Dark Hammer: The PS3 has more of the features I'd rather use than the few useless ones that xbox does. @ Coolkev: If anything, M$ knows they have the dumbest users if you'd pay $100.

September 07, 2010