Technology
Microsoft to cap Xbox Cloud Gaming hours and introduce pay-as-you-go access
Starting in November, Game Pass subscriptions will feature monthly cloud playtime limits, while standalone hourly purchases will become available to non-subscribers.
The short version
- Microsoft announced it will end unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming access in November, instituting monthly time caps based on subscription tiers.
- Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential subscribers will receive 15, 10, and 5 hours of cloud streaming per month, respectively.
- Non-subscribers will be allowed to buy playtime hours to stream eligible owned games without a recurring subscription.
- Microsoft has not yet announced the pricing structure for purchasing additional cloud gaming hours.
Key facts
- Beginning in November, Game Pass Ultimate ($22.99/month) will include 15 hours of cloud gaming, Game Pass Premium ($14.99/month) will include 10 hours, and Game Pass Essential ($9.99/month) will include 5 hours.[CNBC · The Verge]
- Microsoft is introducing a pay-as-you-go option via the Xbox Store, enabling users without a Game Pass subscription to purchase hours to stream eligible games they own.[CNBC · The Verge]
- Microsoft stated that only 4% of current Game Pass subscribers stream games through the cloud beyond the newly established monthly limits.[CNBC · The Verge]
- The company attributed the shift to the increasing costs of infrastructure and rising demand for finite computing power.[CNBC]
What remains uncertain
- Specific prices and bundle structures for purchasing additional cloud playtime hours have not yet been disclosed by Microsoft.[CNBC]