Xbox Cloud Gaming gets hourly packs, with monthly limits for Game Pass

[Delulu]

Microsoft is changing how Xbox Cloud Gaming works. GameSpot's Eddie Makuch reports that the company has announced cloud playtime packs for people without Game Pass, along with new monthly limits for subscribers

The packs cost 4 dollars for 10 hours, 8 dollars for 25 hours and 12 dollars for 50 hours. Microsoft calls these introductory launch prices. They include no ads, shorter queues and better streaming quality. They are available to Xbox Insiders now and will roll out more widely from November, alongside a free tier supported by ads

The bigger change is for Game Pass members. From November, cloud play will be capped each month at 15 hours on Ultimate, 10 hours on Premium and 5 hours on Essential. Anyone who wants more will be able to buy top ups

Microsoft describes it as a meaningful change and estimates that it affects about four percent of subscribers. That suggests most people play far less than the limits, but heavy cloud gamers will notice

Cloud gaming is expensive to run, so limits are not surprising. But adding caps to the top Ultimate tier will annoy some loyal subscribers. Paying for extra hours on top of a subscription feels like a step backwards

Do you use Xbox Cloud Gaming? And are monthly limits a fair way to manage costs?

Xbox Cloud Gaming Hourly Prices Revealed For Non Game Pass Memberswww.gamespot.com