Gaming
Xbox Sets November Caps on Game Pass Cloud Hours
Players without Game Pass will also be able to buy Xbox cloud time to stream eligible games they already own.
Beginning in November, Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming will come with monthly time limits instead of the current uncapped access for eligible subscribers.
Game Pass Ultimate will include 15 cloud hours per month, Premium will get 10, and Essential will get five. Xbox expects the change to affect 4% of Game Pass subscribers, according to the announcement on Xbox Wire.
Subscribers who use their included time will be able to buy more cloud playtime through the Xbox Store. Xbox has not published pricing yet, and says available hours, purchase options, and features may vary by market.
Cloud playtime without Game Pass
Xbox will also let players buy cloud time without a Game Pass subscription. That time can be used to stream eligible games they own on supported devices, offering an occasional-use option without a recurring membership.
The company says the change reflects rising cloud gaming costs as playtime grows. It will share further details on prices, eligible games, availability, and remaining-time tracking in November, and says it will consider player feedback before and after the rollout.