Xbox caps cloud gaming at 15 hours a month for Game Pass subscribers
Xbox said the limits were due to the rising cost of cloud gaming, and would allow it to invest more in its performance
Microsoft's Xbox is implementing monthly usage limits for its cloud gaming service, Game Pass, starting in November. Subscribers to the £16.99 Ultimate monthly plan will be permitted to stream games for up to 15 hours per month before being required to purchase additional cloud playtime. The new limits are attributed to the escalating costs associated with cloud gaming, aiming to maintain the service's reliability and performance.
While some critics question the service's usage, others argue that the additional restrictions for subscribers are unjustified. Cloud gaming enables players to stream and play games online through a remote server using devices like phones, tablets, or controllers, as opposed to downloading and running them on a personal computer or console.
Xbox reports that only 4% of Game Pass users utilize its cloud gaming feature, with roughly 1.2 million individuals likely affected by the new restrictions. A recent Wall Street Journal article suggested that Game Pass has 30 million subscribers, implying the impact of the cloud gaming changes would be approximately 1.2 million.
Microsoft's Chief Executive Asha Sharma acknowledged the need for innovation in affordability and efficiency due to a crisis in computing prices. She emphasized that Xbox is undergoing a significant reset, with 3,200 employees let go, in an effort to secure the company's future. Despite the challenges, Sharma believes these changes can help revive Xbox's fortunes, even though concerns persist about its subscription strategy and rising AI-related costs.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Technology's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
