Xbox is planning a notable change in its cloud gaming system, as a new report suggests that ads could soon become a part of it. The tech giant is reportedly testing limits on ad-free experience, suggesting a possible free tier outside its current subscription plans. The company may be exploring a practical, lower-cost way for players to access its cloud gaming services following recent price increases in Game Pass.
Microsoft is planning a new free Xbox cloud gaming service with ads
Windows Central reports that several Xbox users recently noticed a pop-up message while launching titles through Xbox cloud gaming. The pop-up reportedly warned of one hour of ad-supported play time per session. It’s surprising as no tier or subscription plans currently offer ads on Xbox. The actual intent of the warning was not confirmed. However, it was rumored that Microsoft may be testing a new way to offer cloud gaming without a paid subscription option for some users.
Thankfully, Microsoft later confirmed that ads are coming for players who buy Xbox games digitally but do not subscribe to Game Pass. The company confirmed that the pop-up messages were sent mistakenly. However, the wider plan regarding a new free, ad-supported tier is real.
Xbox aims to increase its global player count with the new change
Microsoft has not yet confirmed the launch date of its new ad-supported tier. With the new plan, the company would allow more players to access cloud gaming while keeping subscription plans unchanged for now. The decision makes a lot of sense when you look at the subscription costs. Building consoles is getting more expensive, and PC parts like memory and storage now cost more due to demand from AI companies. Cloud gaming is one of the finest ways to avoid many of these issues.
Moreover, there are several business reasons behind the move. Running the cloud gaming infrastructure isn’t very budget-friendly. Empty servers still consume power and need maintenance. By offering an ad-supported cloud gaming option, Microsoft can keep usage more consistent while generating profits.
Xbox Free-to-Play? Microsoft Leaks New Ad-Supported Cloud Gaming Tier
