Microsoft slashes Xbox Cloud Gaming to just 15 hours a month for Ultimate subscribers
Microsoft is imposing strict monthly hour limits on Xbox Cloud Gaming for all Game Pass subscribers starting in November. Users who exceed these limits will need to purchase additional playtime bundles.
Why it matters
This shift marks a significant reduction in value for Game Pass subscribers and reflects the rising infrastructure costs of maintaining cloud gaming services.
Microsoft is announcing some major changes to Xbox Cloud Gaming today, less than a year after opening up cloud gaming to its Xbox Game Pass Premium and Essential tiers. While all Game Pass plans have included unlimited cloud gaming over the past year, from November this will be limited to just 15 hours on Ultimate, 10 hours for Premium subscribers, and a measly 5 hours for Game Pass Essential.
“We recognize that introducing limits is a meaningful change, particularly for players who regularly spend more time gaming through the cloud,” says the Xbox team in a blog post announcing the changes. “We expect this upcoming change to impact four percent of Game Pass subscribers.”
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