Microsoft is in the middle of decoupling its cloud gaming service from Game Pass. Starting today, Xbox Insiders will have the option of streaming games even if they aren’t current subscribers. It’s turning what was once known as Xbox Cloud Gaming into Xbox Cloud Playtime with a pay-as-you-go model that’s more flexible.
The program is expected to roll out “more broadly” in November. At that point, people will be able to pay for cloud gaming time a la carte starting at $0.40 an hour. Here are the pricing packages:
These “Cloud playtime packs” are ad-free and “high-quality streaming,” but Xbox has also moved toward offering an ad-supported streaming tier for people who just want to try it out or are less worried about connection quality and interruptions. This new model comes as Xbox has started limiting the number of hours existing Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can stream each month.
How do the prices compare to those from competitors like Geforce Now? Nvidia’s cloud gaming service requires you to already own the games but provides up to 100 hours of “premium monthly playtime” for just $10 a month. Game Pass Ultimate, which is currently $23 a month, caps out at just 15 hours, but offers instant access to hundreds of games rather than requiring you to already own them on storefronts like Steam.