Microsoft is internally testing a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming that would let players stream certain games without a Game Pass subscription, according to reporting published Friday, March 3. The trial reportedly requires viewers to watch about two minutes of ads before starting a session and limits playtime per session and month.
The trial model would allow streaming of titles the player already owns, games Microsoft temporarily opens for free weekends, and some retro Xbox classics. Current test limits set sessions to one hour each and cap free usage at five hours per month per player; those restrictions are under evaluation and could change before any public launch.
How the ad-supported sessions would work
In the tested configuration, a player must watch roughly two minutes of advertisements before beginning gameplay. After the ad break, the session is limited to one hour, and users can aggregate up to five free hours in a month.
Microsoft is trialing delivery across multiple device types, including PCs, Xbox consoles and handheld devices, with the stated goal of exposing more players to the cloud service.
Strategic goals behind the move
Sources cited in the report say the effort is part of a longer-term strategy: Microsoft executives had discussed creating a free tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming nearly two years ago. The company aims to use ad revenue to subsidize access while expanding reach in regions where subscription cost remains a barrier.
Game Pass restructuring: Essential, Premium and Ultimate
Separately, Microsoft restructured Xbox Game Pass into three paid tiers—Essential, Premium and Ultimate—each offering different prices, catalogs and benefits, according to a post on the Xbox blog.
Ultimate
The Ultimate tier now costs R$ 119.90 per month and provides the most comprehensive package. It includes access to more than 400 games across console, PC and cloud, and offers over 75 day-one releases per year, with examples listed such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and The Outer Worlds 2.
Ultimate also adds the Fortnite Club (previously sold separately for R$ 38 per month) and Ubisoft+ Classics (which otherwise costs R$ 26.99 when subscribed separately). The tier features an expanded Rewards program that allows accumulation of up to 100,000 points and discounts up to 30% on selected titles.
Premium
The Premium plan, which replaced the former Standard tier, is priced at R$ 59.90 per month and offers a library of more than 200 games playable on console, PC and cloud. The catalog includes recent hits such as Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy, and classics like Minecraft and GTA V.
Premium subscribers gain access to certain new Xbox-published games for up to one year after release (with the exception of the Call of Duty franchise), in-game benefits for titles such as League of Legends and Rainbow Six Siege X, and a Rewards program that can accrue up to 50,000 global points.
Essential
Essential, replacing the former Core tier, costs R$ 43.90 per month and serves as the entry-level option for the Game Pass ecosystem. It provides access to a library of over 50 games on console and PC, including Hades, Stardew Valley and Cities: Skylines Remastered.
This tier also includes online multiplayer, cloud play — including some games the user already owns — and in-game benefits for franchises like League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone and Overwatch 2.
Cloud Gaming out of beta for paid subscribers
Microsoft has announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming has officially exited beta and is now available on all paid levels of Game Pass. Paid subscribers can play not only catalog titles but also certain games they already own directly via the cloud.
