Microsoft is reportedly testing an ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier that lets players stream games without a monthly subscription by watching ads.
The free option may include short ad breaks, capped session lengths around one hour, and a monthly playtime limit of roughly five hours.
In-app messages seen by some users suggest the feature is close to release, aligning with Microsoft’s push to expand cloud gaming to more devices.
Microsoft is gearing up to make Xbox Cloud Gaming available to more people through a new ad-supported option. Reports suggest that the company plans to allow players to stream games without paying monthly subscription fees as long as they are willing to watch ads. Furthermore, early signs of this plan have already appeared for some users, which suggests the launch may not be far away. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella helped bring attention to this development after breaking the news on the social media platform X. While Microsoft has not officially confirmed all the details yet, reports and user notices are giving a clear picture of what this new tier may look like.
SurveyCurrently, the cloud gaming service offered by Xbox is exclusively offered through Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. This means that people have to pay a subscription fee every month in order for them to have access to the cloud gaming service so that they can play their games in the cloud. The proposed advert-supported subscription is believed to have a different arrangement altogether in this respect because it will supposedly let people play their Xbox games in the cloud that are already owned by them.
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Some players have already seen a message appear while launching games on Xbox Cloud Gaming. The notice talks about an upcoming tier with limited playtime. Since Microsoft has not made a public announcement yet, many believe this message was shown by mistake. Even so, it gives a strong clue about what Microsoft is working on.
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Reports say that players using the ad-supported tier may have to watch around two minutes of ads before starting a game. After that, they could get a cloud gaming session that lasts up to one hour. There may also be a monthly limit, possibly around five hours of free play in total. Once that limit is reached, players would need to wait or move to a paid option.
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The free tier may also include more than just owned games. Earlier reports suggest that players could get access to Xbox Retro Classics and some Free Play Days titles. This would give users more games to try and help them understand what Xbox Cloud Gaming offers.
Microsoft has reportedly been testing this ad-supported option internally for several months. The recent appearance of in-app messages suggests that the company may be getting closer to releasing it. This move also fits with Microsoft’s plan to expand Xbox Cloud Gaming to more devices. The service was recently added to Amazon Fire TV, making it easier for more people to use.
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Bhaskar Sharma
Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile
