Xbox Cloud Gaming Limits Announced for Game Pass Members!

Xbox Cloud Gaming limits are coming into place this November as Xbox have now started introducing monthly streaming allowances for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Even if your an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, you will have a cap on your included playtime each month.

In an announcement over on Xbox Wire, Microsoft confirmed that the current unlimited monthly cloud access will be replaced by a set number of hours per month depending on your subscription.

These are the monthly allowances coming into effect in November:

Once those hours run out, it has been said that subscribers will be able to purchase additional cloud playtime through the Xbox Store. Microsoft has not yet announced how much those extra hours will cost but considering GeForce Now provides a $3 option for an additional 15 hours, I expect it to be roughly the same offering.

Xbox has stated that growing usage increases the cost of running cloud gaming. It argues that monthly allowances will help support continued investment in performance and reliability, while acknowledging that some players will end up paying more.

Today, eligible Game Pass subscribers can stream without these monthly hour limits. We recognize 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

There was a bit of a bonus to this bad news as a new option is coming for players without Xbox Game Pass. From November we will be able to buy cloud hours to stream eligible games that we own, without taking out a recurring subscription.

Also beginning in November, players will have a new way to use XBOX cloud gaming without subscribing to Game Pass.

Players will be able to purchase cloud playtime hours through the XBOX Store and stream eligible games they own on supported devices. This will provide another option for people who want occasional access to cloud gaming or do not want a recurring Game Pass subscription.

For anyone who regularly relies on streaming, this reduction overall is pretty dire and takes away from what their existing subscription includes. Ultimate’s 15 hours could disappear over just a handful of longer sessions and it makes the price of additional time a crucial part of whether the service still offers good value.

Will these limits change how you use Xbox Cloud Gaming? Let us know in the comments below.