Microsoft is testing an ad-supported Xbox free cloud gaming option for gamers, and the idea is pretty simple: watch a few video ads, then stream games you already own without paying for Game Pass Ultimate or buying an Xbox console.
The test is currently limited to members of the Xbox Insider program. Players watch a short block of ads before the game starts, but the ads do not interrupt gameplay. Each session can last up to one hour. After that, players may be able to watch another ad and start a new session, although reports suggest there could also be a limit of around five free hours per month.
For regular gamers, it is important to understand that this is not free access to the entire Game Pass library. The current test program lets you stream digital games that you already own through your Xbox account. It may also include certain “Free Play Days” titles and a rotating selection of Xbox Retro Classics, which is pretty cool in our opinion.
That means someone who bought a game digitally years ago could potentially play it on a phone, tablet, computer or another supported device even without owning a working Xbox console. As long as the game is approved for cloud streaming and tied to the player’s account, it could be available through the free tier.
The one-hour session limit may sound restrictive, but is on-par with the one-hour limit on the free version of NVIDIA GeForce NOW. The major difference is that GeForce NOW supports games from several stores, including Steam and the Epic Games Store, while Microsoft’s test is centered only on games connected to an Xbox account.
So just how annoying will the ads be? As mentioned previously, they shouldn’t interrupt the actual gameplay. Currently, Microsoft is placing them before the game loads rather than during gameplay. That is probably the least disruptive way to handle advertising in a game streaming service. Most players would likely prefer watching a couple of minutes of ads upfront instead of having a commercial suddenly appear in the middle of a match or story scene (that would SUCK).
There are still several unknowns. Microsoft has not announced when the test will become available to everyone, which games will end up being supported, or whether the reported monthly time limit will remain the same. Streaming quality will also depend heavily on the player’s internet connection quality.
From a business standpoint, Microsoft is clearly trying to bring more people into the Xbox ecosystem as Game Pass growth slows. This could become a way to monetize former Game Pass subscribers or Xbox owners who like the idea of hopping on any device to play titles for free. Xbox free cloud gaming could provide an easy way to play owned games on more devices without another monthly subscription. It probably will not replace Game Pass for frequent/hardcore players, but it could be useful for occasional gaming, travel or trying cloud streaming for the first time. Let us know your thoughts and if you think you would try it in the comments.
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