Many Xbox fans were understandably unhappy when Microsoft announced it would be increasing the price of an Xbox Live Gold Membership. Microsoft has since reversed the policy, earning praise from the creator of the Original Xbox.
Microsoft announced the policy reversal on Saturday, much to the relief of Xbox users. Among those praising the decision was engineer and game designer Jonathan “Seamus” Blackley, who helped developed the Original Xbox for Microsoft.
While standard Xbox Live Memberships are free, online play requires a Gold subscription. Multiplayer has long been an integral part of Xbox’s brand identity even before COVID forced many people indoors. Many Xbox gamers were understandably upset when Microsoft announced a new price hike. Under the now-canceled plan, monthly subscriptions would have increased from $9.99 to $10.99. Meanwhile, the prices of a three-month subscription would have jumped from $24.99 to $29.99.
The backlash to the decision ultimately led to Microsoft backtracking on the issue and deciding against the Xbox Live Gold price hike. Microsoft said in a statement, “We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of gaming and we failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day. As a result, we have decided not to change Xbox Live Gold pricing.”
It went on to say that Microsoft hopes to use this as an opportunity to return Xbox Live to a player focused experience. As such, they decided to no longer require a Gold membership to play free-to-play games, such as Fortnite, online. Xbox head Phil Spencer also Tweeted an apology for the proposed price hike, although it is still not clear why Microsoft felt it was appropriate. Some have suggested it was an attempt to push people towards Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions, which include an Xbox Live Gold membership. However, that is currently little more than speculation.
Regardless of Microsoft’s motives, fans were relieved to hear the price hike would not take place. This decision earned Microsoft the praise of Xbox creator Seamus Blackley. He said on Twitter, “Our response to our own errors demonstrates our character so much more than the inevitable mistakes themselves.”
A game developer and electrical engineer, Blackley worked on games such as System Shock and Ultima Underworld before joining Microsoft in 1999. A personal acquaintance of Bill Gates, Blackley was the man most responsible for Microsoft’s break into the console market. In the late 90s, he recognized how the company struggled to support games on a wide variety of PC configurations. After the PlayStation 2 released in 2000, Blackley became convinced that Microsoft needed its own console. This eventually led to Blackley leading the team that would create the Original Xbox.
The “father of the Xbox” left Microsoft in 2002. He’s spent the years since working with various gaming startups but still seems to care about the platform he created all those years ago. It’s almost tempting to wish he was still the driving force behind Xbox today. Perhaps then Microsoft wouldn’t need to make a major public backtrack at the start of every generation.
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