'Gamers need to be given clear and timely information to make informed choices when signing up for auto-renewing memberships and subscriptions,' said Michael Grenfell, the CMA's executive director of enforcement. Microsoft will also provide clearer notifications about Game Pass and Live Gold price rises and tell users how to turn off auto-renewals. It will contact users who have recurring annual subscriptions and offer them a chance to cancel and receive a prorated refund. Sony and Nintendo haven't committed to similar undertakings as yet.Īlong with changes to inactive subscriptions, Microsoft has agreed to offer better upfront information about memberships, including clear details about auto-renewals, when subscriptions will be reupped, how much people will pay and a way to get a refund if they accidentally renew their plan.

The regulator has been investigating auto-renewing subscriptions on Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch since 2019. The company took up the measure - which it committed to for at least three years in the UK - as part of a voluntary agreement with the country's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Microsoft told The Verge it will roll them out globally in the near future. The change will apply to UK consumers at first.

Xbox game pass cancel renewal