Key facts
- Xbox will introduce monthly time limits for cloud gaming on its Game Pass plans starting in November.
- Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will receive 15 hours of cloud gaming per month.
- Premium members will get 10 hours, and Essential members will receive five hours monthly.
- Xbox stated the change is due to the increasing cost of providing cloud gaming services.
- Players will have the option to purchase additional cloud gaming time.
Beginning in November, Microsoft's Xbox will implement monthly cloud gaming time limits across its Game Pass subscription tiers. The company announced the change, stating that the decision was driven by the increasing costs associated with providing cloud gaming services. Currently, eligible subscribers can stream games without a set monthly hour limit. Xbox acknowledged that this change will be significant for players who regularly use cloud gaming extensively, estimating that it will impact approximately 4% of Game Pass subscribers. Under the new structure, the Game Pass Ultimate subscription will include 15 hours of cloud gaming per month, Premium members will receive 10 hours, and Essential members will get five hours. Subscribers who exceed their monthly allotment will be able to purchase additional streaming time, though pricing details were not shared. Access to downloadable versions of games remains unaffected. Competitors like Sony's PlayStation Plus Premium offer unlimited streaming, while Nvidia's GeForce Now limits session length but allows unlimited sessions.