Microsoft is adding monthly caps to Xbox Cloud Gaming of up to 15 hours per month

Microsoft is introducing monthly limits for Xbox Cloud Gaming starting in November 2026, replacing the unlimited access currently included with Game Pass. Ultimate subscribers will now get 15 hours per month, Premium subscribers 10 hours, and Essential subscribers only 5 hours. The change comes less than a year after Microsoft expanded cloud gaming to all Game Pass tiers, and although the company acknowledged that the limits represent a significant change for users who rely heavily on cloud gaming, it estimates that only around 4% of Game Pass subscribers will be affected, admittedly suggesting that cloud gaming still accounts for a relatively small share of overall usage.

Ultimate subscribers who exceed their included 15 hours will be able to purchase additional cloud playtime through the Xbox Store. Microsoft has not revealed pricing or bundle sizes yet, but unused purchased hours will be able to roll over into future months. The company says the limits are being introduced because cloud gaming costs increase as more people use the service and play for longer periods.

Microsoft is also opening Xbox Cloud Gaming to people without a Game Pass subscription. Users will be able to buy cloud playtime and stream eligible games they already own on supported devices. The new limits could particularly affect Xbox One owners who use the cloud to access current generation games, as well as players who regularly stream games before deciding whether to download them. Either way, this means Xbox Cloud Gaming is losing one of the advantages it had over competitors like GeForce NOW, since both now basically follow the same model.