Microsoft to Launch Free Xbox Cloud Gaming Tier Supported by Ads

Microsoft plans to reveal an Xbox Cloud Gaming version with advertisements. The Verge has learned from sources familiar with Microsoft’s intentions that the software company has begun testing internal ad-supported game streaming, enabling staff members to play a few titles for free without a Game Pass subscription.

Are you aware that Xbox Cloud Gaming’s free, ad-supported version will let you stream some of your own games in addition to those that are eligible for Free Play Days, which allow Xbox users to test out games over the course of a weekend. Xbox Retro Classics titles will also be available for streaming.

According to sources, internal testing involves approximately two minutes of preroll advertisements prior to a game being made accessible for free streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Additionally, Microsoft is experimenting a one-hour session limit with up to five hours free each month. When the service is formally launched, these restrictions might alter.

The ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming will be accessible online, on PCs, Xbox consoles, and portable devices. Before a broader rollout in the upcoming months, Microsoft intends to try free streaming in a public beta test shortly.

As part of a Game Pass redesign and a 50% price increase for Ultimate members, Microsoft launched its free streaming test the same week that it added Xbox Cloud Gaming to its Xbox Game Pass Premium and Essential plans for the first time.

This week, Xbox Cloud Gaming also emerged from beta. Members of Game Pass Ultimate can now stream a few titles at up to 30Mbps bitrates in 1440p resolution. Additionally, Ultimate subscribers can stream any other game at 1080p at bitrates of up to 20Mbps. Only 1080p resolution and a 12Mbps bitrate are available to Premium and Essential members.

The development of an Xbox Cloud Gaming version with advertisements has been ongoing for a while. Almost two years ago, Microsoft Gaming CFO Tim Stuart first hinted at a free version of Xbox Cloud Gaming. Additionally, Microsoft recently stated its intention to increase accessibility to Xbox Cloud Gaming.

“I think for us, it really opens up the opportunity to make it much more affordable, and make it more accessible to players. Whether that’s going into new regions, or new ways to actually access the [Xbox] cloud,” Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of next generation, said on an Xbox podcast in August.