Xbox Cloud Gaming may soon see the introduction of a free version funded by advertisements, as per ongoing reports circulating on social media. This new tier will still require an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, but it will provide a limited five-hour monthly access with an ad break at the beginning of each session.

Essentially, Xbox Cloud Gaming is one of the exclusive benefits of subscribing to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, letting users stream a selection of games to their devices via dedicated servers. Users can also stream games associated with their Microsoft accounts, given they have a commendable internet connection. Currently, Xbox Cloud Gaming is available to the public after its beta phase.

Free, Ad-Supported Version on the Horizon

Microsoft is reportedly keen to broaden the horizons of Xbox Cloud Gaming, even if it means limiting access for users. According to a The Verge report, this beta version could allow gamers to play specific titles without holding an active Xbox Game Pass account, pairing it with Free Play Day games and titles connected to their Microsoft account.

Expect around two minutes of ads before gameplay initiation, with each gaming session capped at one hour. In total, the monthly limit on access through this ad-supported variant would be five hours, though these parameters might transform before the exit from beta testing.

This free version would be accessible on various platforms, including Windows PCs, Xbox consoles, mobile devices, and numerous web browsers. However, it coincides with a contentious moment for Microsoft, as the company has recently raised subscription prices for Xbox Game Pass. On October 1, the company declared a price hike for its subscription tiers, changing the name of previous core tiers to Essential and Premium respectively, while the Ultimate option skyrocketed from $19.99 to $29.99, prompting many users to cancel their subscriptions.