{
  "id": 15929220,
  "title": "Xbox Cloud Gaming’s pay-as-you-go option starts at $3.99 for 10 hours",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/xbox-cloud-gamings-pay-as-you-go-option-starts-at-3-99-for-10-hours",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-21T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Verge",
    "slug": "the-verge",
    "url": "https://www.theverge.com/news/1015321/xbox-cloud-gaming-pay-as-you-go-cloud-hours-pricing"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft is set to launch a pay-as-you-go option for Xbox Cloud Gaming in November, with bundles starting at $3.99 for 10 hours of cloud playtime. Those without an Xbox Game Pass subscription can begin purchasing cloud playtime immediately, ahead of a larger release next month. Xbox Insiders will have access to introductory launch pricing bundles, which include ad-free cloud gaming, shorter wait times, and higher-quality streaming. These bundles are not monthly and can be used until the hours are consumed. This new pay-as-you-go option arrives just in time for Grand Theft Auto VI, as Microsoft has secured streaming rights for the game. However, it is unclear if this will be limited to Xbox consoles, as Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball revealed that Grand Theft Auto VI will not be streamed to PCs. Microsoft is also testing free, ad-supported cloud gaming for Xbox Insiders, allowing games already owned to be streamed with a one-hour limit per session.",
  "summary": "Microsoft announced last month that it will let anyone access Xbox Cloud Gaming in November, without the need to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass. The new pay-as-you-go model will require players to purchase bundles of cloud hours, and now Microsoft is revealing today that bundles will start at $3.99 for 10 hours of cloud playtime. […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Google",
        "title": "Xbox Cloud Gaming’s added playtime costs start at around 40¢ per hour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/xbox-cloud-gamings-added-playtime-costs-start-at-around-40-per-hour",
        "published": "2026-10-21T18:40:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Techmeme",
        "title": "Microsoft reveals pricing for Xbox Cloud Gaming without Game Pass, for Xbox Insiders now and others next month: 10 hours for $3.99, 25 for $7.99, 50 for $11.99 (Tom Warren/The Verge)",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/microsoft-reveals-pricing-for-xbox-cloud-gaming-without-game-pass-for",
        "published": "2026-10-21T19:10:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}