Xbox is set to introduce monthly hour limits for cloud gaming as part of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions starting in November. The upcoming change will impose restrictions based on the subscriber's tier, with Game Pass Ultimate members receiving 15 hours, Game Pass Premium users 10 hours, and Game Pass Essential subscribers 5 hours per month.
Currently, eligible Game Pass subscribers can stream without these monthly hour limitations. Xbox acknowledged that this is a significant shift for players who rely heavily on cloud gaming, estimating that the change will affect approximately 4% of its subscriber base. Once players exhaust their allotted cloud gaming hours, they will have the option to purchase additional playtime. Xbox has yet to detail the pricing for these extra hours, noting that it will vary by region. Furthermore, it will become possible to access cloud gaming without a Game Pass subscription by purchasing playtime hours separately for streaming on supported devices.
In explaining the rationale behind this decision, Xbox stated that the cost of providing cloud gaming services increases with user engagement and playtime. The implementation of monthly limits, according to the company, will enable them to continue offering the service while investing in its reliability and performance, though they recognize this may result in increased costs for some players.
This adjustment follows a period of significant strategic shifts for Xbox. Following the appointment of CEO Asha Sharma in February, the company underwent a substantial restructuring that included 3,000 layoffs and the divestment of five internal studios. While Xbox Game Pass subscription prices were reduced after a previous increase, Xbox consoles have seen a price hike. More recently, Xbox introduced a program allowing players to exchange physical game discs for their digital counterparts. These developments occur as Xbox reportedly prepares for its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix.