Yes, the price of an Xbox Live Gold Membership has risen from the $49.99 annual rate to $59.99 in the United States. Canada, Mexico and the UK will also see a similar price hike for their membership fees (see chart below).
Now before you run to your closet and grab your torch and pitchfork, ready for anarchy, know that this really isn't that bad. So you need to stop preparing those Molotov cocktails and breathe.
Xbox Live still remains the premiere online console gaming experience. It isn't even a competition. With access to thousands of demos, games on demand, video content and game add-ons, not to mention the best interface for chatting, grouping and playing with friends, Xbox Live still remains a steal for an annual $60. Think of it this way; one year of awesomeness for the same price as one new game that would last you eight hours and then collect dust on your shelf. It seems like a no-brainer. Ten extra dollars should not cause you to swear off Microsoft, or your Xbox 360, leaving it as an oversized stark white paperweight under your TV.
Also, there is still a chance for you to lock in your current annual rate of $50 by renewing your subscription right now, before November 1st comes around and the new prices take effect.
"Since launching Xbox LIVE in 2002 we have continually added more content and entertainment experiences for our members, while keeping the price the same. We're confident that when the new pricing takes effect, an Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry," explains Microsoft spokesperson Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb.
"However, we do want to thank our loyal members and give you the opportunity to lock in your current price with an additional discount, so now would be a good time to renew your subscription," concludes Hyrb.
Many theorize the new price point matches the upcoming additions to Xbox Live like Kinect and the upcoming ESPN integration announced at E3 2010. Like I said before, this isn't bad. It's $10 extra a year. If that's really bank-breaking for you, next time you consider purchasing a game like Clash of the Titans: The Video Game, think about pocketing that money and using it towards something much more worthwhile. Something like a yearly Live subscription, vital to the current Xbox experience.
