Xbox CEO Asha Sharma continues to make significant changes as part of a major reset to rebuild the brand. Nearly 2,000 employees have been let go, and three more rounds of layoffs are expected between October and January. In addition to mass layoffs, gaming services are also being affected, with Xbox Cloud Gaming adding a pay-as-you-go policy. Paid Xbox Cloud Gaming services will begin in November, and prices have now been revealed.
Unlimited cloud gaming is a perk that is available to all Game Pass subscribers, regardless of tier. This will soon be a thing of the past, as Xbox begins to implement monthly time restrictions for each tier. Ultimate subscribers will get 15 hours of cloud gaming, Premium subscribers 10 hours, and Essential subscribers five hours. Once subscribers’ free Xbox Cloud Gaming time is up, they will have to purchase a Cloud playtime pack. These à la carte options are available for non-subscribers as well.
Xbox Cloud Gaming playtime pack prices
The cheapest pack costs $3.99 and grants 10 hours of ad-free Xbox Cloud Gaming. The $7.99 pack includes 25 hours of cloud time, more than any Game Pass subscription. The final pack costs $11.99 and comes with a total of 50 hours of cloud gaming. While it has not been specified whether Xbox Cloud Gaming time granted with Game Pass is cumulative, purchased cloud playtime is associated with the user’s account and can be used at any time. It will not go to waste if it isn’t used by the end of the month.
Xbox has been testing an idea to implement a technology able to decide the best time to interrupt Xbox Cloud Gaming play and show an ad. Eventually, every player will be able to use Xbox Cloud Gaming for free with ads, but at the moment, this option is only available to Xbox Insiders.
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