Xbox Game Pass is ending unlimited cloud gaming for eligible subscribers. Starting in November, Game Pass plans will include a set amount of cloud gaming time each month, after which players can purchase additional playtime.
| Game Pass plan | Cloud gaming time per month |
|---|---|
| Ultimate | 15 hours |
| Premium | 10 hours |
| Essential | 5 hours |
Today, eligible Game Pass subscribers can use Xbox Cloud Gaming without these monthly limits. Microsoft expects the upcoming change to affect around 4% of Game Pass subscribers.
Once the included time has been used, subscribers will be able to purchase additional cloud playtime through the Xbox Store. Microsoft has not yet announced the pricing. The company says that available hours, purchasing options and cloud gaming features may vary depending on the market.
The new limits apply specifically to cloud gaming. They do not introduce a monthly gaming limit for games downloaded and played locally on an Xbox console or PC.
Cloud gaming without Game Pass
Microsoft is also changing how players can access Xbox Cloud Gaming. Starting in November, people without a Game Pass subscription will be able to purchase cloud playtime and stream eligible games they already own on supported devices.
This gives players who only use cloud gaming occasionally another option without requiring a recurring Game Pass subscription.
Microsoft also highlights Xbox One owners as another potential use case. Cloud gaming can give them access to eligible games built for Xbox Series X|S without requiring an immediate hardware upgrade. Microsoft says it will continue adding cloud support for more games throughout the year.
Why is Microsoft making the change?
According to Microsoft, the cost of providing cloud gaming increases as more people use the service and spend longer periods playing through the cloud.
The company says the monthly limits will allow it to continue offering cloud gaming while investing in the reliability and performance of the service. Microsoft also acknowledges that the practical result will be a higher cost for some players.
There are still several unanswered questions. Microsoft has not revealed the price of additional cloud playtime or exactly how the purchasing system will work.
The company says it will provide more information in November, including pricing, purchasing additional hours, eligible games, market availability and how players can check their remaining cloud gaming time. Read the full announcement on Xbox Wire.
There also appears to be a difference for new subscribers. New Game Pass subscribers are reportedly already subject to the new cloud gaming limits, meaning signing up now may not give them access to the current unlimited system. Microsoft's announcement does not explain this transition in detail, so the exact rules for new and existing subscribers remain unclear.
Webmastahhh is the creator of Mastanet, a gaming and technology website where he shares news, reviews, guides and personal insights about games, hardware, software and the future of digital entertainment.
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