Overview
- Microsoft acknowledged it is testing ads for Xbox Cloud Gaming access for players who bought games digitally but do not subscribe to Game Pass, and said recent in‑app pop‑ups were shown in error.
- Current test parameters reported by The Verge include one-hour play sessions, a cap of up to roughly five free hours per month, and about two minutes of preroll advertising before streaming starts.
- The library for this option is expected to include some owned games, eligible Free Play Days titles, and Xbox Retro Classics rather than the full Game Pass catalog.
- Sources cited by multiple outlets say Microsoft plans to begin broader trials with Xbox Insiders soon, with public testing and a wider rollout anticipated later this year.
- Analysts note the move could broaden access and keep Azure server utilization steadier as hardware costs rise, mirroring models like Nvidia’s GeForce Now free hour-long sessions with ads.