Xbox will soon cap the number of hours Game Pass subscribers can use cloud gaming, requiring users to purchase additional playtime.
In a statement, Xbox said it’s made the change “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,” it said. “We understand that for some players the practical result is a higher cost.”
From November, Game Pass plans will include the following cloud gaming caps:
- Game Pass Ultimate: 15 hours
- Game Pass Premium: 10 hours
- Game Pass Essential: 5 hours
Xbox said it expects the change “to impact 4% of Game Pass subscribers”, suggesting that cloud gaming power users do not take up a significant portion of its paying subscribers.
Once Game Pass users reach their cloud gaming cap, they’ll be able to purchase additional playtime through the Xbox Store, with pricing details to be announced later.
In addition, cloud gaming will be available to users without a Game Pass subscription via the same playtime-purchasing model.
“Players will be able to purchase cloud playtime hours through the XBOX Store and stream eligible games they own on supported devices,” Xbox said. “This will provide another option for people who want occasional access to cloud gaming or do not want a recurring Game Pass subscription.
“Cloud gaming can also give XBOX One owners access to eligible games built for Xbox Series X|S without requiring an immediate hardware upgrade. This feature can be particularly useful in markets where consoles are less available or affordable. We’ll continue adding cloud support for more games throughout the year.”
