Some existing XBOX Game Pass subscribers won’t move to the new XBOX Cloud Gaming hour limits when they arrive in November. Subscriber emails shared on Reddit, along with reporting from DayOne, show current auto-recurring subscriptions in Australia, Brazil, and Poland can keep unlimited cloud gaming for now.
The same treatment doesn’t apply everywhere. DayOne’s U.S.-based writer received an email confirming the November limits will apply in the United States. So far, the grandfathering appears to depend on the market.
XBOX announced on September 3 that Game Pass cloud gaming will move to monthly limits. XBOX Game Pass Ultimate will get 15 hours, XBOX Game Pass Premium will get 10 hours, and XBOX Game Pass Essential will get five. The original announcement said available hours, purchasing options, and cloud gaming features may vary by market, but it didn’t explain these grandfathered subscriptions.
Existing Subscribers in Some Markets Keep Unlimited Cloud Gaming
DayOne reports matching emails from existing subscribers in Australia and Brazil. The message says the November changes only affect new purchases in those markets for now. A separate XBOX Game Pass subscriber in Poland posted a matching email after receiving it in Polish.
To keep the current cloud gaming terms, subscribers have to remain on an auto-recurring XBOX Game Pass plan. If they cancel and later buy XBOX Game Pass again, the new monthly cloud gaming limits will apply.
That doesn’t mean the unlimited terms are permanent. If those existing terms change later, subscribers will get at least 60 days’ notice and can cancel or change their plan.
The XBOX Cloud Gaming Grandfathering Isn’t Worldwide
DayOne’s U.S.-based writer received a different email confirming that the November limits will apply there. At least one U.S. subscriber is being moved to the new hourly model instead of keeping unlimited cloud gaming.
XBOX hasn’t publicly explained why existing subscriptions are being handled differently in certain markets. There’s also no confirmation that consumer protection laws or subscriber backlash are behind the difference.
For now, subscribers in Australia, Brazil, and Poland who received the grandfathering email can keep unlimited XBOX Cloud Gaming by maintaining their current auto-recurring subscription.
New XBOX Game Pass Purchases Still Face Monthly Hour Limits
The November limits still apply to new XBOX Game Pass purchases in markets receiving the grandfathering email. XBOX Game Pass Ultimate will include 15 hours of cloud gaming each month. XBOX Game Pass Premium will include 10 hours, while XBOX Game Pass Essential will include five.
Once those hours are used, affected subscribers will be able to buy additional cloud playtime through the XBOX Store. XBOX still hasn’t announced what that extra time will cost or how many hours will be sold at a time.
More information is coming before the November changes take effect. That includes pricing, purchasing options, eligible games, market availability, and how subscribers can check their remaining XBOX Cloud Gaming time.
For anyone who received the grandfathering email, keeping auto-renew turned on is what keeps unlimited XBOX Cloud Gaming in place for now.
As always, remember to follow us on our social media platforms (e.g., Threads, X (Twitter), Bluesky, YouTube, and Facebook) to stay up-to-date with the latest news. This website contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission when you click on these links and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. We are an independent site, and the opinions expressed here are our own.
