What changed most: The most significant change reported is the introduction of a completely free, ad-supported tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming, offering “1 hour of ad-supported playtime per session” for a selection of games without requiring an Xbox Game Pass subscription.
- Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mobile, Handhelds (e.g., ROG Ally X, Steam Deck).
- Release: Reported as coming soon, likely debuting in a public beta first.
- Price: Free (ad-supported); existing paid Xbox Game Pass tiers remain available.
- Developer: Microsoft.
- Genre: Cloud Gaming Service.
According to Tom Warren, a Senior Editor at The Verge and a well-known Microsoft insider, an ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier is “coming soon”. Warren posted what appears to be an Xbox promotional image on BlueSky on , advertising “1 hour of ad-supported playtime per session”. This freemium model is expected to function as a standalone offering, distinct from existing Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, similar to how free-to-play titles like Fortnite are already accessible via Cloud Gaming without a paid membership.
This upcoming tier is reportedly designed for broad accessibility, planned for launch on all platforms currently supported by Xbox Cloud Gaming, including Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, mobile devices, and popular handhelds like the ROG Ally X and Steam Deck. It’s also anticipated to roll out in all 29 countries where the paid service is already available. While internal tests reportedly involved a short pre-roll ad before sessions and a potential monthly playtime limit, these specifics are subject to change for the public release. The free plan is expected to support a streaming catalog that includes most Xbox Game Pass titles and a growing selection of “Stream Your Own Game” (SYOG) titles.
The gaming community is understandably buzzing about this development. A free tier could be a game-changer, drawing in a massive new audience who might have been hesitant to jump into cloud gaming due to subscription costs. I’ve seen a lot of excitement about the prospect of trying out a wider array of games without commitment. It also aligns with Microsoft’s strategy of making Xbox gaming as accessible as possible, leveraging cloud technology to reach more players across diverse hardware. While the 1-hour session limit and ad support are factors to consider, for many, it’s a small price to pay for free access to a substantial game library.
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