Microsoft is introducing monthly playtime limits for Xbox Cloud Gaming starting this November. The limits vary by Game Pass subscription tier:
- Ultimate: 15 hours/month
- Premium: 10 hours/month
- Essential: 5 hours/month
This change will affect only about 4% of subscribers who currently exceed these limits. Those who go over their allotted hours can purchase additional playtime through the Xbox Store.
Additionally, Microsoft will offer a non-subscription option, allowing players to buy individual hours for streaming games they own.
The decision aims to manage costs as demand for cloud gaming increases, ensuring continued investment in its service.
For reference, competitors like Nvidia’s GeForce Now have session limits that reset after each play, while Sony’s cloud service has no time limits but requires a premium subscription.
For more details, you can read more about the announcement here.
