Overview
- Users reported in-app notices mentioning "1 hour of ad-supported play time per session," which Microsoft says were shown in error.
- Microsoft confirmed to Windows Central that advertising will enable streaming for players who own games digitally but do not subscribe to Game Pass.
- Reporting points to a session-based model with short ad breaks and roughly hour-long play windows, though ad length, monthly caps, and device scope have not been finalized.
- A launch date has not been announced, with journalists indicating the rollout is expected this year and speculating that updates could surface around the January 22 Xbox showcase.
- Coverage cites cloud economics and accessibility as key motives, with Microsoft seeking higher Azure utilization and expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming into markets like India in late 2025.