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A few weeks ago, Microsoft revealed some pretty huge limits on Xbox Cloud Gaming, so far unlimited for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate users.
From November, Xbox Cloud Gaming via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will be limited to 15 hourswith Premium users get 10And basic users get 5. The breakdown of limitations can be seen below.
However, Microsoft has just revealed that users will be able to exceed these limits thanks to new cloud gaming time passes – which don’t do it require Xbox Game Pass at all.
Xbox Cloud Gaming access via game time passes
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Xbox Cloud Gaming access in hours | Resolution and throughput | Price | Header cell – Column 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
10 hours | Up to ~1080p | $3.99 | Line 0 – Cell 3 |
25 hours | Up to ~1080p | $7.99 | Line 1 – Cell 3 |
50 hours | Up to ~1080p | $11.99 | Line 2 – Cell 3 |
30 minutes per session | Up to ~1080p | Free with ads | Line 3 – Cell 3 |
In a blog post, Microsoft states: “Cloud Game Time Packs deliver an ad-free cloud gaming experience, including shorter wait times, high-quality streaming, and game time that remains available until used.”
Unlike some other providers, these recreation passes only expire when they are actually used. You can purchase the 50-hour pass and keep it throughout the year, for example using it when needed. Some other services put a limit on how long you can use passes, meaning they expire within a month.
For those using Xbox Game Pass, here are the current limits you get with Xbox Cloud Gaming.
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Xbox Game Pass Tier | Features | Resolution | Price (United States) |
|---|---|---|---|
Essential | 5 hours per month, with over 50 games | Up to ~1080p | $9.99/month |
Prime | 10 hours per month, with over 200 games | Up to ~1080p | $14.99/month |
Ultimate | 15 hours per month, with over 400 games and Xbox titles from day one | Up to 1440p | $22.99/month |
Microsoft says these new passes will go live today for members of the Xbox Insider program, along with a new free, ad-supported tier. I’m told it comes with a 30-minute session limit for testing the Xbox Insider program.
After 30 minutes, an ad will play, then users will have to queue again to resume their session. The ad-based option is, indeed, an option, and likely designed to drive players to a more premium offering.
Is this all in the works for Grand Theft Auto 6?
Recently, Tom Warren of The Verge reported that Microsoft had secured the Xbox Cloud Gaming rights for Grand Theft Auto 6, although this led to a very oddly worded refusal from Xbox. Microsoft specifically stated that they would not release GTA 6 on PC, nor exclusively… but left the door open to streaming on console. Perhaps Microsoft has gained some form of access to stream GTA 6 through Xbox Cloud Gaming, particularly on Xbox consoles.
The Xbox One line of consoles can stream Xbox Cloud titles, and there are still hundreds of thousands of users on the previous generation console platform, given that games like Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft and others are still fully updated on PS4 and Xbox One.
RELATED: Best Xbox Cloud Gaming Controllers
It’s entirely possible that Microsoft has struck some form of cloud streaming deal specifically for Xbox consoles, giving Xbox One players the chance to join in on the GTA 6 fun without having to upgrade to one of the more expensive modern systems. Microsoft is also offering a few PC games on Xbox Cloud Gaming… perhaps World of Warcraft: Forever could follow suit as well, given that WoW:F won’t be native on consoles at the moment.
However, this is still speculation. I’m also curious how well the pricing tiers will be received by active users on Xbox Cloud Gaming. As an Ultimate subscriber, 15 hours is already way more than I use in the cloud these days (since I bought an Xbox Ally…which will get even better with FSR 4.1 soon).
But Xbox consoles have become prohibitively expensive in some regions. Xbox Cloud Gaming has been a useful bridge for some, but perhaps not at these new prices. I’m curious what you think?
Join us on Reddit on r/WindowsCentral to share your ideas and discuss our latest news, reviews and more.
Gn tech
