Microsoft announces harsh cloud streaming limits for Xbox Game Pass subscribers

In the wake of Asha Sharma’s appointment as the new CEO of Xbox, we’ve seen the console manufacturer switch up its Game Pass subscription quite a bit. Following the announcement that Xbox Cloud Streaming would be seeing the introduction of a new ad-supported tier, Microsoft has made even more sweeping changes – limiting monthly streaming to just 15 hours for Ultimate members.

Taking to their blog, ‘Team XBOX’ unveiled a number of “upcoming changes to XBOX Cloud Gaming,” writing: “Beginning in November, we’re changing how cloud gaming is included with XBOX Game Pass.”

While subscribers were previously allowed to stream for an infinite amount of time, Microsoft is now putting some harsh monthly limitations:

• Game Pass Ultimate: 15 hours
• Game Pass Premium: 10 hours
• Game Pass Essential: 5 hours

According to Xbox, this change will only impact around 4% of subscribers. For those who do reach the monthly limit however, Microsoft will be offering the ability to “purchase additional cloud playtime through the XBOX Store”; though no prices have been provided yet.

Explaining their reasons behind this decision, the Trillion Dollar corporation claimed to be “introducing this model because the cost of providing cloud gaming grows as more people use it and play for longer. Moving to monthly limits allows us to keep offering the service while continuing to invest in its reliability and performance.”

As with many of Microsoft’s recent decisions, the company has stated that it will “listen closely to player feedback before and after the change takes effect and share any adjustments we make.”

KitGuru says: What are your thoughts on this change? Do you make much use out of Xbox Cloud Streaming? Let us know down below.

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