Xbox has announced that beginning in November, it'll start imposing time limits on how much cloud gaming you can play per month, depending on what type of subscription to the service you have.
Game Pass Essential - 5 hours.
Game Pass Premium - 10 hours.
Game Pass Ultimate - 15 hours.
If these time frames sound too small for you, that's because they are, but Xbox has a solution for you, because it'll also be offering the ability to buy extra time.
Xbox will however now offer people a way to make use of the cloud gaming without need a subscription, done by the same time purchasing system. It's also stated that Xbox One owners will be able to play Xbox Series S/X games through this method without needing to upgrade right away.
Quote From Microsoft Beginning in November, we’re changing how cloud gaming is included with XBOX Game Pass.
Game Pass plans will include a set number of cloud gaming hours each month:
Game Pass Ultimate: 15 hours
Game Pass Premium: 10 hours
Game Pass Essential: 5 hours
Today, eligible Game Pass subscribers can stream without these monthly hour limits. We recognize that introducing limits is a meaningful change, particularly for players who regularly spend more time gaming through the cloud. We expect this upcoming change to impact 4% of Game Pass subscribers.
Once subscribers use their included hours, they will be able to purchase additional cloud playtime through the XBOX Store. Available hours, purchasing options, and cloud gaming features may vary by market. We’ll share pricing and further details before the changes take effect.
Cloud Gaming Without a Game Pass Subscription
Also beginning in November, players will have a new way to use XBOX cloud gaming without subscribing to Game Pass.
Players will be able to purchase cloud playtime hours through the XBOX Store and stream eligible games they own on supported devices. This will provide another option for people who want occasional access to cloud gaming or do not want a recurring Game Pass subscription.
Cloud gaming can also give XBOX One owners access to eligible games built for XBOX Series X|S without requiring an immediate hardware upgrade. This feature can be particularly useful in markets where consoles are less available or affordable. We’ll continue adding cloud support for more games throughout the year.
Why We’re Making These Changes
We’re introducing this model because the cost of providing cloud gaming grows as more people use it and play for longer. Moving to monthly limits allows us to keep offering the service while continuing to invest in its reliability and performance. We understand that for some players the practical result is a higher cost.
In November, we’ll provide more information about pricing, purchasing additional hours, eligible games, market availability, and how players can check their remaining time.
We’ll listen closely to player feedback before and after the change takes effect and share any adjustments we make.
What do you think of this change to Xbox cloud gaming? Let us know in the comments below.
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