Microsoft is making a major change to Xbox Cloud Gaming. Starting in November, Game Pass subscribers will no longer have unlimited cloud gaming access and will instead receive a fixed number of hours each month. The change affects every Game Pass tier, including Ultimate. Once players reach their monthly allowance, they will have to purchase additional cloud gaming time through the Xbox Store. Microsoft acknowledges that the change will mean higher costs for some users.
âŒNew Xbox Cloud Gaming Limits
- Game Pass Ultimate: 15 hours per month
- Game Pass Premium: 10 hours per month
- Game Pass Essential: 5 hours per month
For occasional users, the new limits may have little impact. For players who rely on Cloud Gaming as an alternative to a console or gaming PC, however, 15 hours per month on Ultimate represents a significant restriction.
💰More Hours Will Cost Extra
Players who use their monthly allowance will be able to buy additional hours through the Xbox Store. Microsoft has not yet revealed how much they will cost or which bundles will be offered, making it impossible to determine how much regular cloud gamers could end up paying under the new system. Purchased hours will not expire, so players will not have to use them within a specific period.
📈Microsoft Blames Rising Cloud Gaming Costs
Microsoft says the cost of providing Cloud Gaming has increased as more people use the service and play for longer periods. According to the company, monthly limits will help it continue investing in reliability and performance. Microsoft estimates that the change will affect around 4% of Game Pass subscribers. Still, that does not change the fact that a feature currently offered without a monthly cap is being restricted, with a paid option introduced for those who exceed their allowance.
â˜ï¸Cloud Gaming Will Also Work Without Game Pass
Starting in November, players will also be able to purchase cloud gaming hours without a Game Pass subscription. This will allow them to stream eligible games they already own on supported devices. The option could be useful for occasional users, while Xbox One owners will continue to have a way to stream eligible games built for Xbox Series X|S without immediately upgrading their hardware.
🖥ï¸A Significant Change as Hardware Gets More Expensive
Microsoft has increasingly positioned cloud gaming as a way to access Xbox without owning newer hardware. It is also used by PC players whose systems cannot run certain games and by people who want to play away from their main console. Putting a monthly clock on that service changes the equation. Cloud Gaming can remain useful for occasional sessions, but players who depend on it as their main way to play will now have to manage their available hours or pay for more. The change also arrives as gaming hardware becomes more expensive, with Microsoft having already raised Xbox console prices because of higher component and memory costs. Against that backdrop, adding limits to cloud gaming is a notable shift.
â“Pricing Details Are Still Missing
Microsoft will reveal more information in November, including the price of additional hours, purchase options, eligible games, market availability and how players can check their remaining time. The company also says it will monitor feedback and may adjust the offering before the changes take effect.