Overview
- The free, ad-supported tier rolled out Wednesday and Thursday and gives users 30-minute cloud sessions that start with a three-minute, full-screen non-skippable ad.
- Game Pass subscriptions now include monthly cloud-hour allowances of 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 hours for Premium, and five hours for Essential, replacing previous unlimited streaming for most users.
- Microsoft is selling ad-free Cloud Playtime packs that carry over until used with reported introductory prices of about $3.99 for 10 hours, $7.99 for 25 hours, and $11.99 for 50 hours.
- Microsoft frames the shift as a way to offset growing cloud costs and to open a new ad product, Xbox Video for Brands, that targets players as they load sessions.
- Some users report inconsistencies in account displays and Microsoft has not publicly listed which purchased titles will be available on the free tier, though GTA VI will be playable via cloud at launch on November 19 if players buy the game.