Overview
- Windows Central reports that Microsoft plans an ad-supported, session-limited access tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2026, with sources indicating some on-screen notices appeared prematurely.
- Users, including The Verge’s Tom Warren, have encountered messages such as “1 hour of ad-supported play time per session” when starting cloud streams.
- The reported approach would let players who purchased Xbox games digitally stream them without an Xbox Game Pass subscription.
- Microsoft previously said it would experiment with free, ad-backed cloud play, but the company has not formally announced this specific tier.
- Eurogamer notes industry talk of a possible reveal tied to the Xbox Showcase on 22 January, though timing and details remain unconfirmed.