Xbox Is Testing Free, Advert-Supported Cloud Gaming

Microsoft is testing a method for folk to stream sure video games they personal at no cost. Rather than paying for Game Pass to entry cloud gaming options, Xbox insiders will have the ability to stream choose video games from their libraries at no additional price. They’ll simply want to look at some adverts first.

These ad-supported cloud gaming classes have a one-hour time restrict, similar to on GeForce Now. The take a look at can be obtainable for a restricted time, Microsoft mentioned. The firm famous adverts will not interrupt gameplay and that it holds “ads to the same quality bar as our content.” It may also “make sure ads fit what players expect on each platform.” It was reported final 12 months that Xbox had an ad-supported cloud gaming service within the works.

Microsoft is pitching this as a method to “give more people more affordable ways to play,” simply days earlier than it as soon as once more will increase the costs of Xbox consoles. The firm has jacked up the costs of Game Pass subscriptions during the last couple of years too although it did backtrack a bit just a few months in the past. 

Xbox leaders lately mentioned the division was operating on very skinny revenue margins and said that could not proceed. Xbox is chopping round 3,200 jobs as a part of a reorganization that entails divesting studios and reportedly cancelling some video games because it refocuses on its larger franchises. All of that is in service of enhancing Xbox’s backside line. An ad-supported streaming possibility may assist with that to some extent.

As it occurs, Microsoft introduced this take a look at on the identical day that Amazon began integrating its Luna cloud gaming service into the Prime Video app.

Update, July 23, 2026, 1:00PM ET: Added context concerning the present state of the Xbox enterprise.