How Microsoft is Making Big Changes to Xbox Live and Game Pass Subscription Services in UK
As more and more industries look into the subscription model, it becomes harder and harder to keep up with all the payments. Streaming services are a prime example of this, as Netflix, Hulu, Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and more make it hard to keep up with individual payments, which are actually being used, and so on. The gaming industry isn’t nearly as egregious, but it’s not surprising to hear some users may be paying for services like PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass yet not actually using them.
The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) of the UK has been conducting an investigation into these services since 2019, considering whether various subscription service policies are legal. These include auto-renewals on the subscription, various cancellation and refund policies, and the terms and conditions of services like PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online, Xbox Live, and Xbox Game Pass. These three brands have been, reportedly, the focus of the CMA’s investigation.
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On January 26, 2022, the CMA issued a new update on the investigation (as noted by TheGamer). This update indicates that the CMA has secured certain agreements with gaming giant Microsoft in terms of updating the aforementioned policies. According to the CMA, Microsoft will provide clearer, up-front information regarding these subscriptions such as its price, when the auto-renewal occurs, and how to acquire refunds for accidental renewals.
Furthermore, Microsoft has agreed to contact current customers utilizing a 12-month contract in the UK and provide the option to receive a pro-rata refund (meaning proportional to the used time). Microsoft will also contact users who have a
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