UPDATE: Following community backlash, Microsoft has since reversed its decision and prices will no longer be changed. Free-to-play titles will also get free online access in light of this recent rollback. More details here.

ORIGINAL:

The Xbox Game Pass is undoubtedly the best deal in gaming, offering players a ton of games to play each month and so much more. However, Microsoft has announced that they will be increasing the price of Xbox Live Gold, which makes it seem that they would also like to offer the worst deal in gaming.

According to a recent post by the Xbox Live Gold team, the prices will be increased in the coming weeks for subscribers. As for the 1-month subscription, it will be increasing by one dollar to $10.99. For those wanting to pick up three months, that will now be $29.99 (a $5 increase), while the six months will be $59.99. If you currently have a Gold membership, Microsoft is allowing subscribers to convert their remaining time to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

What this means is that for a full year of Xbox Live Gold, it will cost $120 instead of $60. It is unclear if Microsoft plans to add anything to the service that will increase the value, but it certainly seems like they are attempting to push more consumers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which includes Xbox Live Gold. Either way, it’s not the best look for the Xbox team and appears to not be entirely consumer friendly. We’ll have to see what they have to say about this in the coming days.

As for those with current Xbox Live Gold subscriptions, you will have 45 days from the time you get the message from Microsoft about the price increase before the changes go into effect. Keep it tuned to Don’t Feed the Gamers as this story develops, and for other gaming goodness going on right now, check out the following:

• The Division 2 Resident Evil Crossover Adds Oodles Of RE Content (VIDEO)
• Valve Has “Games In Development,” Says Gabe Newell
• God Of War Studio Has Unannounced Project In The Works

What say you, gamers? Are you surprised to see the price increase for Xbox Live Gold? Do you believe it is a push to get more people on the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate train? Sound off in the comments section below, and be sure to follow DFTG on Twitter for live gaming and entertainment news 24/7!

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