Microsoft Expands Xbox Cloud Gaming Access, Tests Ad-Supported Tier
Microsoft has made significant strides in expanding its Xbox Cloud Gaming service this week. The tech giant has not only expanded access to its Game Pass tiers but also initiated testing for an ad-supported version of the service.
The enhanced Xbox Cloud Gaming service has emerged from beta status, offering improved streaming capabilities to Game Pass Ultimate members. This comes alongside Microsoft's expansion of cloud gaming access to both the Premium and Essential tiers of Xbox Game Pass.
The company has been preparing for this launch for some time. Internal testing began on October 3, 2025, with plans for a public beta before the full launch in the coming months. The free tier operates on an advertising model, featuring approximately two minutes of preroll ads before gameplay begins. Current testing parameters limit sessions to one hour, with a maximum of five hours available per month.
In a move to increase accessibility, Microsoft has also allowed employees to access select games through cloud streaming without requiring a Game Pass subscription. The ad-supported service will provide access to three categories of content: personally owned games, eligible Free Play Days titles, and Xbox Retro Classics games. When publicly launched, the free streaming option will function across multiple devices, including PC, Xbox consoles, handheld gaming devices, and web browsers.
Microsoft's expansion of Xbox Cloud Gaming access and the initiation of ad-supported service testing mark significant developments in the company's gaming strategy. These moves aim to increase accessibility and attract a broader range of gamers to the Xbox ecosystem.
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