Microsoft to Cap Xbox Cloud Gaming Hours for Game Pass Subscribers

Microsoft is reversing its policy of unlimited cloud gaming for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, according to 3djuegos.com. The change will introduce monthly hour limits for users who play games through the cloud.

The announcement, reported by 3djuegos.com and other outlets, was made via Xbox's official news channel. The new limits will take effect in November, affecting subscribers in multiple regions, including Mexico, where cloud gaming was previously unlimited for Game Pass Ultimate members.

According to the reports, the move marks a significant shift from the current model. Until now, Game Pass Ultimate subscribers could stream games without worrying about a time cap. Microsoft has not yet detailed the exact number of hours that will be allowed each month, nor has it clarified whether the cap will apply uniformly across all tiers of the service.

The decision is likely to disappoint heavy users of cloud gaming, who have relied on the feature as a way to play without downloading large files or owning high-end hardware. Microsoft has framed the change as a necessary adjustment, though the company's specific reasoning has not been fully explained in the available reporting.

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This is not the first time Microsoft has adjusted the benefits attached to Game Pass, but it is one of the most notable changes to the cloud gaming component since its introduction. Subscribers who use the service regularly will need to monitor their playtime once the new limits go into effect.

What to watch next: Microsoft is expected to release the full details of the hourly caps and any options for purchasing additional time before the November rollout.