Microsoft adds pay-as-you-go option to Xbox Cloud Gaming, limits Game Pass access

Microsoft has introduced a pay-as-you-go option for Xbox Cloud Gaming, restricting access for Game Pass subscribers starting November 2026. This move is aimed at those who do not utilize cloud gaming enough to warrant a monthly subscription. The pay-as-you-go model is part of broader changes to Xbox Cloud Gaming, including monthly limits for both existing and new Game Pass subscribers.

Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, the most expensive tier at Rs 1,089 per month, will be restricted to just 15 hours of cloud gaming per month. Premium subscribers will have 10 hours monthly, while Essential subscribers will be limited to 5 hours per month. Those who exhaust their allotted hours will need to purchase additional cloud playtime in hourly bundles from the Xbox store.

Unused hours can roll over to the next month. This change comes as Microsoft seeks to attract more users to its Xbox ecosystem through cloud and mobile gaming. The company's new CEO, Asha Sharma, has set an ambitious goal of growing the gaming platform's user base to a billion people each day. Microsoft explained that they are implementing these changes "because the cost of providing cloud gaming rises as more people use it and play for longer."

The Xbox team stated that players can now purchase cloud playtime hours through the Xbox Store to stream eligible games they own on supported devices, offering another option for those who need occasional access to cloud gaming or who prefer not to have a recurring Game Pass subscription. Microsoft is also testing free, ad-supported cloud gaming for Xbox Insiders.