“They really don't want Xbox to succeed:” Microsoft introducing Game Pass limitations
Want to play longer? Pay up.
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- Microsoft will limit Xbox cloud gaming to 15, 10, or 5 hours a month, depending on plan.
- Players who run out of hours can buy extra playtime through the Xbox Store.
- Microsoft says the limits will affect 4% of Game Pass subscribers.
- Many players criticized the limits, saying the monthly playtime is too low for the price.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Xbox is set to introduce limitations to its Game Pass later this year, hinting that playtime could be extended for extra cost.
Microsoft is introducing monthly cloud gaming limits, granting Game Pass Ultimate owners 15 hours of play, Game Pass Premium owners 10 hours, and Game Pass Essential users 5 hours.
The changes will be implemented starting this November.
In case a player uses their monthly quota early, they can buy additional playtime via the Xbox Store.
It’s not yet known how much the service will cost, but the company shared that “available hours, purchasing options, and cloud gaming features may vary by market,” with more details to be available before November.
Microsoft notes that this change will only affect 4% of Game Pass subscribers.
Users who don’t have a Game Pass subscription will also have the possibility to buy extra game time and “stream eligible games they own on supported devices.”
The company also shared that cloud gaming will allow Xbox One owners to access games created for Xbox Series X and S without updating their hardware.
Users react to Xbox changes
Microsoft ended the note stating that it will “listen closely to player feedback before and after the change takes effect.”
The upcoming changes have sparked an online discussion.
“‘You don't need hardware, you can just stream your games.’ How's that working out?” wrote one Redditor.
While some users debated online gaming, others criticized the number of hours the company gives to its subscribers.
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Many users agreed that 15 hours per month isn’t enough time.
“That's like one day's worth,” wrote one Redditor.
“$22 for 15 hrs? Might as well just go to an arcade at that point,” added another user.
Currently, Xbox’s Game Pass Ultimate costs $23, which means that after the changes take effect, users with this pass will be granted 15 hours of monthly playtime.
Meanwhile, Game Pass Premium account holders who pay $15 for the pass will get 10 hours of playtime, while Game Pass Essential subscribers, who pay $10 a month, will get 5 hours.
Microsoft to impose time limits on Xbox cloud gaming subscribers as costs continue to climb
by u/Force_Hammer in gaming
“They really don't want Xbox to succeed,” added one netizen.
“Looks like Xbox and Sony are fighting to be the worst company again,” noted another user, hinting at recent backlash against Sony.
While Xbox created a program that allows users to convert their disc-based games into digital licenses, thereby preserving their gaming collection, Sony has been criticized for its decision to end physical game discs starting in 2028.
The change led many users to fear they would no longer actually own the content they paid for. Meanwhile, the company argues that it’s not really possible to own a digital copy of something, a response Sony gave amid the class action lawsuit it was involved in.
