Microsoft could soon introduce a free, ad-supported version of its Xbox Cloud Gaming service, as recent tests and internal touches in the Xbox app suggest.
According to available information, this new model would allow users to stream games without an Xbox Game Pass subscription, provided they watch ads — usually around two minutes — before playing to receive up to an hour of gameplay per session.
Microsoft has previously confirmed that they are testing an ad-supported version, and messages in the Xbox app mentioning “1 hour of gameplay with ads per session” suggest that a public beta test could be available soon, possibly within the next few weeks.
The free plan is expected to offer limited access to selected games from the user's library, including retro titles and titles from the Free Play Days program, with a total limit of up to five hours per month.
