Xbox Cloud Gaming is about to start limiting your play time... unless you pay extra
XBOX Cloud Gaming is about to start reminding us to charge our Steam Decks before traveling again
Xbox's Cloud Gaming service has changed a ton since it crawled out of its xCloud cocoon. It's a service that I've enjoyed a lot since I got rid of my Xbox a few years back. It's still the only way to play 2015's Halo 5: Guardians, for example. More than that, Xbox Cloud Gaming has been a great part of the Game Pass ecosystem for those times when I'm away from home for a stint and leave my Steam Deck behind.
In a blog post today, Xbox has announced a new monthly limit to the amount of hours you can play Cloud Gaming starting in November. The total hours are determined by which tier of Game Pass you subscribe to:
- Game Pass Ultimate: 15 hours
- Game Pass Premium: 10 hours
- Game Pass Essential: 5 hours
The 4% of Game Pass subscribers who use Cloud Gaming may find themselves using the service more than the plan will allow; Xbox said they would allow the purchase of additional hours, but did not disclose the price.
Currently, Cloud Gaming is exclusive to Game Pass, but when the new changes go into effect, players will be able to purchase Cloud Gaming hours.
The blog post also alluded to more changes coming, specifically "eligible games, market availability, and how players can check their remaining time", but stated that they will hold off on going over these details, along with pricing of additional hours, until November — the same month these changes go live.
