Microsoft has introduced monthly cloud gaming limits for Xbox Game Pass subscribers with different hourly limits set for the different tiers of service. The more you pay, the more you’ll get to play. Want to play even more? You’ll have to pay even more.
Right now, Xbox Game Pass subscribers don’t face limits on how much time they can spend streaming games via the cloud. However, that changes from November and Microsoft is acknowledging that the new policy is unlikely to please gamers. Indeed, those responding to the news on Reddit are fuming about it.
Those limits are as follows:
Game Pass Ultimate: 15 hours
Game Pass Premium: 10 hours
Game Pass Essential: 5 hours
In a blog post, Microsoft says: “We recognise that introducing limits is a meaningful change, particularly for players who regularly spend more time gaming through the cloud. We expect this upcoming change to impact 4% of Game Pass subscribers.”
Microsoft says that around 4% of Game Pass subscribers will be affected by the change in policy and those folks have will have two options: Play less or pay more to play more.
Gamers will be able to purchase additional credit hors from the Xbox Store, but Microsoft isn’t ready to share the prices yet. These credits will also be able to purchase for people who don’t have a Game Pass subscription. However, those gamers will only be able to stream their own games rather than the Game Pass library.
“We’re introducing this model 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. We understand that for some players the practical result is a higher cost,” the blog post says.
One gamer on Reddit summed up the sentiment: “Hilariously awful offering. If they can’t afford to offer cloud based services, then GO BACK TO SELLING PHYSICAL MEDIA INSTEAD.”
Quite.
Read the full article here
