Xbox Cloud Gaming, now out of beta and included with Xbox Game Pass plans, allows players to stream a vast library of games on various devices with a stable internet connection, offering a flexible gaming experience across consoles, PCs, mobile devices, and more.
Microsoft is developing an ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, aiming to offer a potentially lower-cost or free option for users, though details on release and implementation are not specified.
Microsoft is testing a new free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming that will allow users to stream certain games with limited hours and sessions, aiming to make cloud gaming more affordable, but the restrictions and added ads may not be well-received by players.
Microsoft is preparing to launch a free, ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier that will allow users to play select titles without a subscription, featuring short ads and session limits, initially tested internally and expected to roll out publicly soon.
Microsoft is preparing to launch an ad-supported free version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing users to stream select games for free with ads, including some owned titles and classics, initially tested internally and soon available in a public beta.
Xbox Cloud Gaming has officially exited beta, offering enhanced streaming quality up to 1440p for select games and devices, along with reduced wait times, as part of the updates to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which is now priced at $30/month, with some discounts available. The service continues to expand its features and game library, including new additions like Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics.
Xbox Cloud Gaming has officially exited beta, introducing support for 1440p streaming for select games and devices, primarily for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, along with expanded access to more tiers and improved streaming quality, marking a significant upgrade since its launch in 2020.
Microsoft has expanded its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate's Stream Your Own Game library with 18 new titles in September 2025, allowing subscribers to stream owned games like Sea of Stars, Borderlands 3, and The War of Mine via Xbox Cloud Gaming, with more updates expected for standard and core tiers.
Microsoft has expanded Xbox Cloud Gaming to include lower-tier Game Pass subscriptions (Core and Standard), making it more accessible across a variety of devices and supporting a broader device-agnostic gaming strategy, with ongoing developments like new handheld consoles.
Microsoft is testing a new feature for Xbox Insiders by expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming to Xbox Game Pass Standard and Core tiers, allowing subscribers to stream games and access select PC titles, previously exclusive to the Game Pass Ultimate tier, with broader rollout expected soon.
Microsoft is expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming to include Xbox Game Pass Core and Standard subscribers, allowing more users to stream cloud games without needing the higher-tier Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and is also testing access to select PC games for these tiers.
Microsoft is hinting at developing a more affordable Xbox Cloud Gaming plan, potentially including a free ad-supported version, as part of its efforts to expand accessibility and compete with services like Nvidia's GeForce Now. The company is also working on next-generation hardware and AI-powered features, in collaboration with AMD, to enhance gaming experiences across Xbox and Windows platforms.
Microsoft is planning to make Xbox Cloud Gaming more affordable and accessible by expanding to more regions and exploring new subscription options, while also focusing on hardware innovation and a unified gaming ecosystem across devices, including upcoming consoles and AI-powered technologies.
Microsoft is testing updates to the Xbox PC app and consoles that will enable cloud games to follow players across devices, including PCs, Xbox consoles, and handhelds, with a new play history feature that displays recently played cloud games and syncs game progress and saves across platforms.
Microsoft has added 27 new titles, including several Assassin's Creed games, to the Stream Your Own Game library for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members, allowing them to stream over 260 owned games via Xbox Cloud Gaming.