Microsoft is getting closer to launching a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming.
According to The Verge’s Tom Warren, Microsoft has been testing this service internally for months, and now signs show it may soon be available to Xbox Insiders. Recent updates to the Xbox app include loading screens that mention “1 hour of ad-supported playtime per session.”
These new loading screens suggest that users will be able to play for one hour per session with ads, matching Microsoft’s internal tests that allowed up to five free hours per month. Reports say players will see around two minutes of pre-roll ads before a game starts streaming. This free version will not remove ads unless users upgrade to a paid plan.
With the ad-supported plan, users will be able to stream some games they already own, try selected Free Play Days titles, and play Xbox Retro Classics games. All of these will include ads before gameplay begins. Microsoft officially confirmed it was testing this service shortly after it was first reported in October.
Microsoft is now expected to announce the free ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming option publicly in the coming weeks. If launched widely, it could let more players try cloud gaming without paying—at the cost of watching ads before each session.
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