Video game subscription services are promoted as the best alternative to owning a game. Gamers subscribe to the services to access a large library of games. In recent weeks, a couple of these services have increased their prices, in some instances as high as 40%.
The latest to do so is the GTA+ subscription service which launched in March 2022. The service allows subscribers to access “a rotating assortment” of games from Rockstar Games. In addition to that, GTA Online players who subscribe to the service receive extra cars, cash, and cosmetics and access exclusive events.
ALSO READ: Opinion: Are Video Games Too Expensive Or Should Gamers Have The Option To Tip Devs?
the GTA+ video game subscription service was previously priced at $5.99 / €5.99 / £4.99 a month. However, the price has now been reviewed upward to $7.99 / €7.99 / £6.99. Players started getting notified about the new price last week. One player shared a screenshot of the message they received and it read.
“We want to let you know about an upcoming price change to your GTA+ subscription. The price of your current monthly subscription is increasing to £6.99. This price increase will not take effect until your next renewal date that occurs on or after 11 June 2024. However, from today, any new subscription purchases will be charged at the new price.”
Subscription to GTA+ service gives players access to GTA: Chinatown Wars (iOS and Android), GTA: Liberty City Stories (iOS and Android), Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition (Xbox and PlayStation), and Red Dead Redemption (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S).
ALSO READ: What Is Worse Than Layoff? Ascendant Studios Furloughing Their Staff!
The Red Dead Redemption franchise was added to the GTA+ service last month, together with its Undead Nightmare DLC expansion. Rockstar has also confirmed that LA Noire and Bully will be joining the service later this year.
The hike in GTA+ subscription price is coming ahead of the launch of GTA 6 which is scheduled to hit PS5 and Xbox Series X|S sometime in 2025. The game is undoubtedly the most anticipated game of next year.
Other companies have raised their video game subscription service prices
Rockstar is not alone in the hike in the prices of video game subscription services. Last week, Electronic Arts announced that it was raising the price of its EA Play subscription service. The review will see the price of the standard tier jump from $4.99 / £3.99 monthly to $5.99 / £5.99 while the annual fee will jump from $29.99 / £19.99 to $39.99 / £35.99.
likewise, the price of the EA Play Pro subscription will increase from the current monthly fee of $14.99 / £14.99 to $16.99 / £16.99 while the annual option will jump from $99.99 / £89.99 to $119.99 / £109.99.
ALSO READ: 2 Ways To Play PS5 In Tesla Exposed
EA has already started sending emails to subscribers and the new price regime is live on the company’s video game subscription service webpage. It was noted that the new price will take effect on May 10 for existing customers while new customers will start paying the new fee immediately.
EA Play subscription service gives players access to the publisher’s catalogue of titles including 10-hour trials of new EA titles. A PC-exclusive tier of the video game subscription service allows players to access the publisher’s full catalog, including new releases on day one. the basic version of the service is also added to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Last year, Sony bumped up its PlayStation Plus Subscription service by as much as 35%. This saw the annual subscription fee of its Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers move from $20-$40 / £10-£20 / €12-€32 respectively.
Microsoft did something similar with the Game Pass last July. However, their hike was smaller than that of Sony. The decision by Microsoft at that time saw the monthly price of the Game Pass subscription rise from $9.99 to $10.99 /£7.99 to £8.99 / €9.99 to €10.99 while the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate jumped from $14.99 to $16.99 /£10.99 to £12.99 / €12.99 to €14.99, monthly.
ALSO READ: Halo Co-Creator Marcus Lehto Has Nothing “Positive To Say About EA”
The reason for the price hikes was not discussed. However, it points to the increasing desire of video game companies to boost their profit margins.
Do you use any of the above-mentioned video game subscription services? How do you feel about the price hikes? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
