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Xbox Switches to Monthly Hour Limits to Cloud Gaming but Insists It Will Only Impact 4% of Game Pass Subscribers
Microsoft is adding pay-as-you-go cloud play and capping monthly hours for Game Pass subscribers, saying only 4% exceed the new limits.
- On Thursday, Microsoft's Xbox unit announced monthly cloud gaming time limits for Game Pass subscribers starting in November, ending years of unlimited access while simultaneously opening pay-per-play access to non-subscribers.
- Rising cloud gaming costs and climbing demand for Microsoft's finite computing power prompted the shift, mirroring consumption-based pricing used for products like GitHub Copilot, as Xbox CEO Asha Sharma evaluates business model changes.
- Game Pass Ultimate subscribers paying $22.99 monthly receive 15 hours of cloud gaming; Premium members at $14.99 get 10 hours; Game Pass Essential at $9.99 includes 5 hours, with additional hours purchasable through the Xbox Store.
- Microsoft expects the limits to affect just 4% of subscribers, while non-Game Pass users can now purchase cloud playtime for games they own, and the company is testing free ad-supported streaming for Xbox Insiders.
- Despite platform restrictions from Apple and Google delaying an Xbox mobile store, Xbox chief Asha Sharma said earlier this year the mobile initiative remains viable as Microsoft pursues cloud and mobile expansion.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Left
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources lean Left
75% Left
L 75%
C 25%
Factuality
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