Microsoft is preparing to announce an ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming. Sources familiar with the plans confirm this. The software giant has begun internal testing of ad-supported game streaming. This allows employees to play select titles for free without a Game Pass subscription.
This testing follows a recent change in Game Pass tiers and significant price hikes for Ultimate subscribers. That revamp saw Xbox Cloud Gaming access expand to the new Premium and Essential plans. Xbox Cloud Gaming also just exited beta this week. Ultimate members now stream select games at 1440p resolution with up to 30Mbps bitrates. Other games stream at 1080p with up to 20Mbps. Premium and Essential subscribers are limited to 1080p and a 12Mbps bitrate.
Free Tier Features and Limits
The free, ad-supported tier of Xbox Cloud Gaming will include the ability to stream some games you already own. It will also cover eligible Free Play Days titles. These let Xbox players try games over a weekend. Additionally, you will be able to stream Xbox Retro Classics games.
Internal testing currently involves about two minutes of pre-roll ads before a game streams for free. Microsoft is also testing a session limit of one hour. Users can get up to five hours free a month. These limits could change before the official launch. The ad-supported version will be available on PC, Xbox consoles, handheld devices, and via the web. Microsoft plans a public beta test soon, followed by a full launch in the coming months.
What We Don’t Know Yet
There is currently no information about any potential waiting times for this new ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier. The free tier of NVIDIA GeForce NOW (GFN), is known for having long queues to access games. We can assume there will be queues but, will they be as bad as the free GFN?
An ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming has been long anticipated. Microsoft Gaming CFO Tim Stuart hinted at a free version almost two years ago. Microsoft has recently stated its goal to make Xbox Cloud Gaming more accessible. Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of next generation, noted the plan “opens up the opportunity to make it much more affordable.” He said it also makes it “more accessible to players.”
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