Microsoft limits Xbox Cloud Gaming to 15 hours per month for Ultimate members.

Microsoft is rolling out significant updates to Xbox Cloud Gaming, just shy of a year since it expanded cloud gaming access to all tiers of Xbox Game Pass. Starting in November, while all Game Pass plans have offered unlimited cloud gaming, this will now be capped at 15 hours for Ultimate subscribers, 10 hours for Premium, and a mere 5 hours for those on Game Pass Essential.

The Xbox team acknowledged in a blog post that implementing these limits is a substantial shift, especially for players who frequently engage in cloud gaming. They anticipate that this change will affect about four percent of Game Pass subscribers.

For those wanting to exceed the allotted hours on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, additional cloud playtime can be purchased through the Xbox store beginning in November. While specific pricing details haven’t been disclosed yet, players will have the option to buy hour bundles that can carry over if not used within a month.

Microsoft explained that these adjustments are necessary due to the rising costs associated with providing cloud gaming as usage increases. This comes after a period where Xbox Cloud Gaming was initially exclusive to the Ultimate tier before being made available to all Game Pass tiers nearly a year ago. Unlimited cloud gaming was a major selling point for the Premium and Essential tiers, and now, after players have adapted to this feature, they are being asked to pay for extra hours.

Gamers utilize cloud gaming in various ways, such as testing games before downloading, allowing Xbox One owners to access Xbox Series X titles, or playing Xbox games on mobile devices while away from home. These new monthly limits may push some Xbox One users to consider upgrading their consoles instead of relying on cloud gaming for certain titles. Additionally, players who have used Xbox Cloud Gaming to sample games might hesitate to do so frequently, particularly with the restrictions on the Game Pass Essential tier.

In a notable shift, Microsoft is also allowing access to Xbox Cloud Gaming for those without a Game Pass subscription. Players will be able to buy cloud playtime hours through the Xbox Store and stream eligible games they own on compatible devices. This offers a new option for those seeking occasional cloud gaming access without committing to a recurring Game Pass subscription.

These new limits are likely to be met with discontent from Xbox Game Pass subscribers, reminiscent of the backlash from previous price increases. Microsoft had to reduce the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate six months later and removed new Call of Duty titles from the service to manage costs. These latest changes to Xbox Cloud Gaming appear to be another strategy to avoid further price hikes for Game Pass.