Supported Streaming With Xbox Insiders
Xbox is testing an ad-supported streaming feature that allows users to play select games they own for free after watching advertisements. This initiative aims to lower the barrier to entry for cloud gaming while the company faces ongoing hardware price hikes.
Why it matters
This shift reflects a broader industry trend toward ad-supported models in gaming to combat rising costs and expand user bases.
The limited test lets players stream select games they already own for up to an hour.
Earlier this year, Xbox gamers noticed little messages hinting at an ad-supported streaming tier coming to the platform. This streaming option is now available to Xbox Insiders for testing, and it’s optional for those interested in seeing what playing games in the cloud for free might look like.
Testing for ad-supported streaming began Thursday for Xbox Insiders, according to a post on Xbox Wire . This is a limited test to allow players to stream select games they own at no additional cost by watching ads before they start playing.
“It creates another way for players to get into games without an upfront streaming purchase and expands audiences through new ways to play,” the company said in the post.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in