Earlier this week it was rumored that Microsoft is going to remove the restriction that requires users to have an Xbox Live Gold subscription to access popular entertainment apps like Netflix, Hulu etc. The company made the official announcement yesterday. A subscription is no longer required for these applications. Microsoft will also offer pro-rated refunds to those subscribers who want out after this change takes place next month.
This drastic change to the service comes as part of the June software update. Subscribers will be able to request a refund after the update arrives in the first week of next month. Even though the $60 per year membership is not required to access these apps it is still needed for most online gaming.
Its a good move on Microsoft’s part, which apparently thinks that entertainment apps were the only reason for some Xbox Live Gold subscribers to pay $60 per year. For most gamers it’s a necessary expense for online gaming, with the entertainment apps as an extra.
Once a request is submitted through Microsoft’s support website it will calculate a pro-rated amount to refund that will be based on the days between cancellation and the day the subscription was originally supposed to end.
It can take anywhere between six to eight weeks for refunds to be processed. If you’re going to apply for one keep in mind that August 31st 2014 is the cutoff date for submission of requests.
Filed in . Read more about Microsoft, Xbox Live and Xbox One.