Microsoft introduces flexible pay-as-you-go plan for Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Microsoft is set to roll out a significant update to Xbox Cloud Gaming in November, allowing players to access the service without needing an Xbox Game Pass subscription. This shift to a pay-as-you-go model aims to cater to gamers who don’t utilize cloud gaming frequently enough to justify a monthly fee.

According to the Xbox team, “Players will be able to purchase cloud playtime hours through the Xbox Store and stream eligible games they own on supported devices.” This new option is perfect for those who want occasional cloud gaming access without the commitment of a recurring subscription.

However, this pay-as-you-go model comes with some restrictions for Game Pass subscribers. Microsoft is implementing monthly hour limits, with Ultimate subscribers capped at just 15 hours per month. This change may push many Game Pass users to either buy hourly bundles or reduce their cloud gaming usage.

The new pay-as-you-go option appears to be aimed at gamers who don’t own an Xbox console or those who primarily game on their phones. Additionally, Microsoft is testing a free, ad-supported version of cloud gaming for Xbox Insiders, which could broaden access for those without an Xbox.

For years, Microsoft has been working to draw more players into its Xbox ecosystem through cloud and mobile gaming. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has even set an ambitious goal to make Xbox “one of the few companies that entertains more than a billion people each day.”

Previously, Microsoft attempted to launch an Xbox mobile store to allow users to purchase games and stream them directly to their devices. While the company began enabling game and DLC purchases within its Xbox mobile app last year, it had to remove the remote play feature to comply with Apple’s App Store policies. As it stands, players cannot buy an Xbox game in the iOS app and stream it there; they must navigate to the Xbox Cloud Gaming mobile website through a browser.

Microsoft has attributed the delays in launching its Xbox mobile store to Apple and noted in 2024 that it developed an Xbox game store for Android that couldn’t be launched due to Google’s policies. The company continues to pursue legal avenues to challenge the restrictions imposed by Apple and Google, with Xbox chief Asha Sharma stating earlier this year that the concept of an Xbox mobile store “is not dead.”