GoKawiilMicrosoft Sets Pay-Per-Hour Pricing for Xbox Cloud Gaming Starting November
Microsoft has introduced pay-as-you-go packages for Xbox Cloud Gaming priced at $3.99 for 10 hours, $7.99 for 25 hours, and $11.99 for 50 hours. Beginning in November, Game Pass subscribers will only get 5 to 15 included cloud-streaming hours per month depending on their subscription tier, after which they must purchase additional hours to continue streaming, including games they already own. Microsoft says purchased hours do not expire and remain usable until spent.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The change could shift Xbox Cloud Gaming from a subscription perk into a metered service, potentially raising costs for players who rely on streaming due to hardware limitations rather than convenience. Gizmodo's commentary suggests subscribers who bought games expecting unlimited cloud access may feel the new limits undercut that value proposition, though Microsoft frames the non-expiring hours as a mitigating factor.
- New pay-as-you-go tiers cost $3.99-$11.99 for 10-50 hours of cloud streaming.
- From November, Game Pass tiers include only 5-15 cloud hours monthly, with extra hours sold separately.
- Purchased hours do not expire, according to Microsoft, easing concerns about losing unused time.
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller — With Xbox Cloud Gaming now metered by the hour, you'll want a controller that makes every minute count on the go, and the Backbone One clips right onto your phone for console-quality streaming anywhere. It's built specifically for cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, letting you squeeze in sessions during commutes or breaks without lugging a console. A solid pick for anyone maximizing their new pay-as-you-go cloud hours.
See Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: games.slashdot.org, 2026-10-23
Published there as: “Microsoft Announces Per-Hour Cost for Xbox Cloud Gaming Service”
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