Microsoft has revealed how much it will charge people for using the Xbox Cloud Gaming service without a Game Pass membership. Right now, this is available only to Xbox Insiders, but that's a free program that anyone can join.
Also notable is that the prices below are described as "introductory launch pricing," and that wording suggests the prices may change in the future. Microsoft is calling these "cloud playtime packs."
Cloud playtime packs pricing:
- 10 hours for $4
- 25 hours for $8
- 50 hours for $12
Anyone who buys these cloud playtime packs will get access to cloud gaming without ads and with perks like shorter wait times and higher-quality streaming. These packs will be available to more people starting in November.
A version of Xbox cloud gaming with ads is also available to Xbox Insiders without a Game Pass membership.
As for those who do have a Game Pass membership, changes are coming to cloud gaming in November. Microsoft will put limits on how many hours per month people can use the service, and then allow people to pay more to unlock more time. Below is a breakdown of how many hours you’ll get included with the tier of Game Pass you’re subscribed to:
- Game Pass Ultimate: 15 hours
- Game Pass Premium: 10 hours
- Game Pass Essential: 5 hours
Microsoft said it understands this is a “meaningful change,” especially for those who use the cloud regularly for gaming. However, the company said it estimates that these changes will impact about 4% of Game Pass subscribers, though the company did not share any specifics on how it arrived at that projection.
In other Game Pass news, it was recently reported that Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is considering a massive shakeup to the service to allow people to build their own Game Pass and choose which features they do and do not want.