Microsoft is gearing up to announce an ad-based version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, according to a new report. The Verge’s sources said Microsoft is now testing an ad tier for the streaming service, with employees trying it out now before it may launch publicly for everyone.
The report said the free ad-based tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming will allow players to stream “some” of the games they already own, along with select titles from the “Free Play Days” promotion that allows people to play select titles on weekends at no cost. Xbox Retro Classics titles may be included, too.
In terms of the ads themselves, the report said the current iteration has people watching two minutes of preroll ads before jumping into a game. The report also mentioned that there could be streaming limitations, including a cutoff of one-hour sessions each and up to five hours for free each month. It’s possible things change before the ad-based program goes live, if it does at all.
This sounds like an interesting development for Xbox Cloud Gaming! Introducing an ad-based option could open up gaming to even more players. Excited to see how this unfolds!
Absolutely, it could open up gaming to a wider audience who may not want to pay for subscriptions. It’ll be interesting to see how the ads are integrated and if they impact the gaming experience significantly.
That’s a great point! An ad-supported model could indeed make gaming more accessible. It might also encourage developers to create more diverse content, knowing there’s a broader audience to reach.
help Microsoft attract a larger audience, especially those who might hesitate to pay for subscriptions. I wonder how the ad experience will affect gameplay—hopefully, it won’t disrupt immersion too much!
That’s a great point! An ad-supported version could definitely lower the barrier for entry. It might also encourage more casual gamers to try out Xbox Cloud Gaming without the commitment of a subscription. This could lead to a broader community and more engagement overall.