Microsoft is reportedly preparing to launch a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, giving players the ability to stream select titles without a Game Pass subscription. According to The Verge, the company has already begun internal testing of the service.
The free tier will allow users to stream certain games they already own, titles offered during Free Play Days, and a selection of Xbox Retro Classics. Internal trials currently include around two minutes of preroll ads before games can be played, with sessions limited to one hour and capped at five hours per month. These restrictions may change before launch.
The ad-supported service will be available across PC, Xbox consoles, handheld devices, and the web. Microsoft plans to run a public beta test in the near future before rolling out the service more broadly.
The move comes as Microsoft makes broader changes to its subscription ecosystem. This week, the company expanded Xbox Cloud Gaming access to Game Pass Premium and Essential members while raising the price of Game Pass Ultimate by 50 percent. The platform also exited beta, with Ultimate subscribers gaining support for streaming games in 1440p resolution at up to 30Mbps, while Premium and Essential tiers are limited to 1080p at 12Mbps.
The idea of a free ad-supported tier has been in development for years. Microsoft Gaming CFO Tim Stuart hinted at it nearly two years ago, and company executives have reiterated their commitment to making cloud gaming more accessible worldwide. “I think for us, it really opens up the opportunity to make it much more affordable, and make it more accessible to players,” said Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of next generation, in August.
If this article helped you, please consider supporting our work. Every small contribution keeps Abijita.com independent and running.
