Microsoft tests ad free Xbox Cloud Gaming options for non subscribers

Microsoft is testing ad free cloud streaming for Xbox Insiders that does not require an active Xbox Game Pass subscription, according to PCMag and PCMag Australia. The company is also reportedly planning to let users build their own custom subscription bundles rather than paying for set tiers, Engadget reported. The changes follow leadership shifts at Microsoft's gaming division under chief executive Asha Sharma, who took over the role in February, Engadget said. [1][2][4][6]

The cloud streaming options are being tested ahead of a wider rollout. MIXED Reality News and shattered.io reported that the test offers 10 hours of cloud gaming access without a Game Pass subscription for $3.99. In Canada, Xbox Cloud Gaming pricing will cost C$13.99 compared to $3.99 in the United States, according to tech-insider.org. Trend Hunter reported that the pay as you go playtime packs are designed as a new choice for players who do not want a monthly plan. [8][9][11][12]

The tests build on earlier changes to Microsoft's cloud streaming services. As FTMQ Gaming reported earlier, Microsoft previously revealed pay as you go cloud options starting at $3.99 for 10 hours, which Xbox Insiders began testing on October 21. Xbox Game Pass was originally launched on June 1, 2017, as a service that grants access to a downloadable and streamable library of games across consoles, computers, and mobile devices. [14][17]

Under the reported plan, players could soon pick and pay for individual Game Pass features à la carte, according to Engadget, Mezha.net, and Pure Xbox. Engadget reported that Microsoft is also considering broader changes to its hardware offerings, including next generation Project Helix consoles that could start at $1,800. [3][4][6][7]