Changes to Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live will be rolled out globally

Xbox Game Pass
(Image credit: Microsoft)

Update: Microsoft's recent changes to Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live in the UK will be rolled out to the rest of the world.

In a statement to The Verge (via Eurogamer), Microsoft said that "changes to inactive subscriptions will initially roll out in the UK and will be available globally soon."

Firstly, Microsoft will provide more transparent information to customers on both subscription services. For example, they'll tell customers how to turn off auto-renewal, and tell them when a service will auto-renew, as well as how to claim back refunds if a service automatically renewed when they didn't want it to.

Speaking of, refunds will be easier to obtain under the new changes, as Microsoft will actively contact customers on recurring 12 month subscription contracts and give them the offer of a refund. Additionally, Microsoft will also contact customers with active subscriptions, but who haven't used said services for a long time, just in case they're unaware of the fact they're actually paying.

Right now, there's no clear date for these changes being implemented by Microsoft for its U.K. customers. These changes are thanks to pressure from the UK-based Competition and Markets Authority, though, so it's also not clear whether the changes will be implemented for other regions outside of the UK at some point further down the line.

Head over to our upcoming Xbox Series X games guide for a full look at all the games coming to Microsoft's new-gen console in the future.

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

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