Microsoft Tests Ad-Supported Xbox Cloud Gaming
Microsoft has initiated internal trials for an ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming service. This free streaming option, slated to launch publicly soon, will function across diverse devices such as PC, Xbox consoles, handheld gaming devices, and web browsers. Users can anticipate approximately two minutes of preroll ads before commencing their games.
The internal testing commenced on October 3, 2025, accompanied by substantial alterations to Xbox Cloud Gaming's subscription structure. Game Pass tiers will now encompass expanded cloud gaming access, while Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will encounter a 50 percent price increase. The service will present three content categories: personally owned games, eligible Free Play Days titles, and Xbox Retro Classics games.
Presently, testing parameters restrict sessions to one hour per day, with a maximum of five hours available per month. Employees can now access select games through cloud streaming without necessitating a Game Pass subscription. Furthermore, Xbox Cloud Gaming has recently shed its beta status, showcasing enhanced streaming capabilities for Game Pass Ultimate members.
The ad-supported, free tier of Xbox Cloud Gaming is anticipated to debut on multiple platforms, with public tests scheduled to commence shortly and a full launch projected for subsequent months. Regional availability remains uncertain. This signifies Microsoft's maiden endeavor at harmonizing cloud gaming infrastructure with advertising revenue, potentially democratizing high-quality gaming for a wider audience.
