Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer recently said that he doesn't view subscriptions as a replacement for conventional purchases (opens in new tab), but there's no question that Game Pass is big business for Microsoft. "Changes to inactive subscriptions will initially roll out in the UK and will be available globally soon," the representative said. The CMA is a UK-based agency, but a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed in an email to PC Gamer that the subscription policy changes will be applied internationally. Either way, it's money wasted, and while the CMA announcement is short on specifics-there's no indication as to exactly how long "a long time" is, for instance-it's a move in the right direction. It's a situation a lot of us have likely been in at least once in our lives: Paying for services we're not using for months on end, because we've forgotten about them or it's just too much of a pain in the ass to cancel on the rare occasions that they come to mind. "We are therefore pleased that Microsoft has given the CMA these formal undertakings to improve the fairness of their practices and protect consumers, and will be offering refunds to certain customers." "Gamers need to be given clear and timely information to make informed choices when signing up for auto-renewing memberships and subscriptions," CMA executive director of enforcement Michael Grenfell said. Better information about price increases: Microsoft will give clearer notifications of any future price rises, and will ensure people know how to turn off auto-renewal if they don’t want to pay the higher price.These customers will be reminded how to stop payments, and if they continue not to use their memberships, Microsoft will ultimately stop taking further payments. Inactive memberships: Microsoft will also contact existing customers who haven’t used their memberships for a long time but are still paying.Refunds: Microsoft will contact existing customers on recurring 12-month contracts and give them the option to end their contract and claim a pro-rata refund.
Better upfront information: Microsoft will provide more transparent, upfront information to help customers understand their Xbox membership-making clear, for example, that the subscription will auto-renew unless the customer turns off auto-renewal when the subscription will auto-renew how much it will cost and how the customer can receive a refund after an accidental renewal.
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