Transform any device into an Xbox for 5-15 hours a month.
Starting in November, Xbox will revamp its cloud gaming service, moving away from unlimited streaming for Game Pass Ultimate users. Each tier of Game Pass will now receive a limited number of streaming hours monthly, with additional hours available for purchase in the Xbox store.
Under this new model, Game Pass Ultimate users will have access to 15 hours of streaming per month, while Game Pass Premium subscribers will enjoy 10 hours, and Game Pass Essential members will receive five hours. Microsoft indicates that only about four percent of subscribers will be affected by this change, suggesting that relatively few users have been utilizing the service extensively. This shift is substantial, considering that the $23 monthly Ultimate plan previously provided unlimited access.
A noteworthy aspect of this update is that cloud gaming will now be accessible to those who aren’t Game Pass subscribers. Anyone will have the option to buy “cloud playtime hours” from the Xbox Store, allowing them to stream their Xbox titles. This adjustment means that even Xbox One owners can potentially stream compatible Xbox Series X/S titles without the need for hardware upgrades, offering a cost-effective alternative to investing in more expensive gaming consoles. The success of this feature will likely depend on how pricing for these hours is structured, which Microsoft has indicated will vary by region.
Xbox initiated Game Pass and developed its cloud gaming options with the vision of a gaming experience free from console limitations. This was part of the company’s less popular but ambitious marketing campaign titled “This Is An Xbox.” However, under the leadership of new CEO Asha Sharma, Xbox has shifted focus, lowering subscription prices, prioritizing exclusive games, and reallocating its workforce. Ironically, as costs for hardware components are increasing, the appeal of cloud gaming may rise, especially as users anticipate the launch of the forthcoming Project Helix console lineup.
