GAME NEWS:
For many years now, online enthusiasts have been paying $49.99 for a year subscription to Microsoft's incredible online gaming service. Unfortunately, that's all about to change.
Announced this morning, officially from Microsoft, Xbox Live price plans are set for an increase. Beginning November 1st, a year subscription to the service will run $59.99 (up from $49.99), a three month subscription will be $24.99 (was $19.99), and the monthly subscription will be $9.99 (originally $7.99).
The $49.99 yearly fee has been in place since 2002, making this the first increase for the service in eight years.
Fans of the Netflix streaming service have been, essentially, paying $60 a year for the two services since the company and Microsoft joined forces, and the increase will certainly raise questions as to the value of the package. The price increase is speculated to involve dealings with ESPN, Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm; all featured content on the online service.
To note, subscription codes do stack, meaning that a purchase now of $150 will last you three years on the service, and save you some change as well. Just make sure to activate them before November 1st, 2010.
