Microsoft announces cap on Xbox Cloud Gaming hours for Game Pass subscribers, admits most aren't using it much anyway

Microsoft has announced a monthly limit on Xbox Cloud Gaming hours for Game Pass subscribers, with the new policy slated to begin in November. The cap will depend on the subscription tier: Ultimate subscribers will have 15 hours, Premium users 10 hours, and Essential subscribers 5 hours of cloud gaming per month. The company expects this change to impact only 4% of Game Pass subscribers, as most are currently not utilizing the service extensively.

Additionally, Microsoft will make the Xbox Cloud Gaming service available to non-Game Pass players in November, who will be able to stream eligible games to supported devices by purchasing cloud gaming playtime through the Xbox Store. The move is a cost-saving measure, as the cost of providing cloud gaming increases with usage. Microsoft acknowledged that the practical result may be higher costs for some players, as the company's revenue from Xbox has fallen by $1.7 billion over the past year despite the introduction of ad-supported game streaming.