Microsoft is testing a new free, ad supported Xbox Cloud Gaming with one hour sessions

Microsoft is reportedly close to introducing a new free, ad supported tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming, giving non Xbox Game Pass subscribers a way to access cloud streaming. After several months of internal testing, Microsoft is preparing to offer early access to Xbox Insiders, with one hour sessions and up to five free hours per month.

In current tests, users see around two minutes of preroll ads before a game starts streaming. Recent Xbox app updates reference the one hour ad supported session limit, matching the internal test setup.

The tier is expected to support streaming some games users already own, plus eligible Free Play Days titles over a weekend, and Xbox Retro Classics, each still preceded by preroll ads. Microsoft confirmed the testing a few weeks after initial reports, and is expected to formally announce it and expand public testing in the coming weeks, similar to Nvidia GeForce Now’s ad supported approach.