Microsoft is introducing strict monthly time limits for Game Pass game streaming starting in November, capping access at 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 hours for Premium, and 5 hours for Essential subscribers. Users who exhaust their allotment can purchase additional streaming time, though pricing details were not disclosed.
Background
Microsoft launched Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly Project xCloud) in 2020 as a key differentiator of Game Pass Ultimate, offering unlimited streaming. The new limits signal a strategic shift in how Microsoft monetizes its cloud gaming service amid growing competition from Sony and Nvidia.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Sep 4, 2026 at 05:10 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10