Microsoft To Change Its Xbox Subscription Policies

Microsoft has agreed to alter how it manages Xbox subscription after an examination by the CMA (UK’s Competition And Markets Authority). As a result, the business is now in force to refund and deactivate inactive Xbox Live and Game Pass subscriptions.

The CMA launched its inquiry in 2019 and ordered Microsoft to offer “better upfront information” about their online gaming services. Microsoft’s current approach is to give Xbox Game Pass three months to consumers in the United Kingdom. Following this, the subscription automatically renews.

Also Read: How To Play Wordle? Best Strategies To Win

The CMA is worried about features that simplify customers to sign up for a service. But, never outline the cancellation procedure in depth. This obfuscation results in instances when a subscriber completely forgets about the subscription. Yet continues to pay for the service without knowing it.

Microsoft will now provide users with “more transparent” information about their Xbox membership. Including when and how their subscription will be on auto-renewal, as well as the fee and membership length. Additionally, the corporation will be more transparent about disabling the procedure. And also, how a client may get a refund after an unintentional renewal.

Also Read: Increase Productivity with These Must-Have Accessories For Laptop!

The corporation will require to contact all current customers on recurring 12-month contracts and offer them the opportunity to terminate and get a pro-rata refund. Inactive customers will also be contacted and advised on how to cancel their subscriptions. In addition, any price increases will be fully communicated, enabling subscribers to stop auto-renewal if they do not plan to pay the increased amount.

Microsoft’s Xbox Subscription Post-CMA Changes

1. Microsoft will contact current paying Xbox Live and Gold subscribers and provide them with the opportunity to terminate their 12-month subscriptions and get a refund.
2. Microsoft must be transparent about potential pricing increases.
3. The firm has to give further information to help users understand their Xbox membership – including when their subscription will renew, how much it will cost, and how a customer may demand a refund after an inadvertent renewal.
4. Customers who are not utilising their Microsoft Xbox Live or Gold subscriptions but are still paying for them will be contacted. To begin, the corporation would issue reminders to users to cancel their subscriptions and subsequently cease collecting payments entirely.

Also Read: How to Troubleshoot No Audio on Your Laptop?

Xbox Gold Games for February 2022

1. Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse was got release in December 2013 by Revolution Software. It is presently playable on all major platforms. Additionally, the game will be accessible as part of the Xbox Gold subscription from February 1 to February 28.
2. Never Yield by Aerial Knight: Designed and developed by Aerial Knight and released by Headup Games in 2021, the game will be accessible from February 16 to May 15, 2022.
3. Hydrophobia – produce by Dark Energy Digital and published by Xbox Game Studio in 2019. From February 1 to 15, the game will be accessible.
4. Band of Bugs: the game debuted in 2007. NinjaBee and Wahoo Studios collaborated on developing the game, which NinjaBee released in cooperation with Xbox Game Studios.

Also Read: Silly Royale Gets its Final Squid Game-Inspired Game Modes!

Xbox Live Gold subscribers will get access to these titles as part of the premium membership’s Games with the Gold perk for a limited time. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will get these titles at the specified time. Microsoft recently announced its purchase of Activision Blizzard, which, if completed, would position Microsoft as the world’s third-biggest gaming company.

“Gamers need accurate and timely information to make educated decisions when subscribing to auto-renewing memberships and subscriptions. We are thus happy that Microsoft has provided the CMA with these formal commitments to enhance the fairness of their processes and to safeguard consumers, as well as to grant refunds to some customers,” said Michael Grenfell, the CMA’s Executive Director of Enforcement.

Also Read: 4 Simple Ways To Complete Any Instagram Challenge

These are all excellent improvements that Microsoft will implement worldwide shortly. In addition, as the CMA’s investigation continues, we may soon see similar policies enforced on the PlayStation and Nintendo platforms as well.