Xbox Cloud Gaming Will Be Free, But Only On One Condition
Following Microsoft’s significant Game Pass price hike, gamers have received more news. It’s been suggested that the company plans to make Xbox Cloud Gaming free, and that this new system will be ad-supported. This will allow players to play games on the cloud under certain conditions without needing a Game Pass subscription.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Comes Ad-Free
According to Tom Warren of The Verge, Microsoft is currently testing a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming. The system will require approximately two minutes of advertising before starting a game. Furthermore, play sessions will be limited to one hour, with a total of five hours of free usage per month.
While these restrictions may seem strict at first glance, the fact that Xbox Cloud Gaming is completely free may appeal to many gamers. Users will reportedly be able to play their own digital games, select Free Play Days titles, and Xbox Retro Classics content via the cloud. However, these restrictions are likely to change upon the service’s official launch.
The $29.99 Game Pass Ultimate price increase, in particular, sparked significant backlash among gamers, leading to numerous subscriber cancellations. It’s believed that Microsoft aims to alleviate this backlash and reach a broader player base with this free model.
The service is reportedly available on PC, Xbox, handheld consoles, and the web. An open beta test for free Xbox Cloud Gaming is also rumored to begin soon. This new model for Xbox Cloud Gaming, which has emerged from a six-year beta phase, could be a critical step in Microsoft’s cloud gaming strategy.
Read More: John Wick 5 Has a Surprise Partnership
