Xbox is reportedly planning a free version of its Cloud Gaming service, supported by advertisements. According to reports from The Verge and Windows Central, Microsoft is currently testing a system where users watch a two-minute ad before gaining one hour of playtime, with a limit of five such sessions per month.
The free tier will offer access to a limited selection of games: those the player already owns, free-to-play titles available during special weekends, and classic Retro games. Microsoft is expected to announce a public beta program soon, likely starting with members of the Xbox Insider Program, before a wider release. This news follows earlier reports in July suggesting Microsoft was exploring more affordable options for cloud gaming, including an ad-supported free tier.
Xbox Cloud is now available across all Xbox Game Pass tiers, but…
The ‘Stream Your Own Game’ feature, which lets Xbox players stream games they purchase, launched last year as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and has quickly expanded to include popular titles like Borderlands 4 and Helldivers 2. Recently, Microsoft broadened access to this feature, making it available at no extra cost to those on the Essential and Premium tiers of Xbox Game Pass.
While Xbox Game Pass Ultimate still offers the best experience – with higher resolution streaming and the largest game library – it recently saw a significant price increase, jumping 50% to $30 per month. Microsoft is attempting to justify this price hike with additions like Ubisoft+ Classics games and perks for Fortnite, but it’s sparked considerable backlash online.
It will be interesting to see how many players utilize the newly free cloud gaming option, and whether its limitations – fewer available games, time restrictions, and ads – will encourage them to upgrade to a paid Xbox Game Pass subscription. Ultimately, while Microsoft’s vision for combining Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Fortnite makes sense, the substantial price increase may hinder its success.
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2025-10-03 20:43