Microsoft raises price of admission to Xbox Live

Microsoft on Monday announced it is raising the price of admission to its Xbox Live online community where people can play videogames or watch movies using Xbox 360 consoles.

The cost for a full-access Xbox Live Gold one-year subscription will jump 10 dollars to 60 dollars in the United States in November, according to Microsoft.

Monthly subscriptions in Britain and Canada will increase to six British pounds and 10 Canadian dollars respectively while the prices of annual subscriptions will not change.

Year-long Xbox Live Gold membership in Mexico will climb 100 pesos to 599 pesos.

Xbox Live subscription prices are not set to change in the more than 20 other countries or territories where the service is offered, according to Microsoft.

"Since launching Xbox Live in 2002 we have continually added more content and entertainment experiences for our members, while keeping the price the same," Microsoft said in a blog post.

Live has been growing from an arena where Xbox 360 users can play with or against each other online to a venue for online social networking, television shows, movies and music.

"Prices didn't need an increase they were fine," an Xbox Live member with the on-screen name xTye said in a Microsoft chat forum about the price hikes. "Don't you guys make enough money?"