Microsoft Testing a Free, Ad-Supported Version of Xbox Cloud Gaming

Microsoft is gearing up to introduce a free version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, powered by an ad-supported model. According to The Verge, the company has already begun internal testing, allowing employees to play select titles without a Game Pass subscription after watching a short ad before the game begins.

How the Ad-Supported Model Works

In its current test phase, the system displays roughly two minutes of advertising before launching a free game session. Each play session lasts up to one hour, and users are limited to five hours of free gameplay per month — though these parameters may change before the official rollout.

The upcoming free Xbox Cloud Gaming tier will let players stream their own purchased games, titles from the Free Play Days program, and retro classics from the Xbox Retro Classics collection. The service will be available across PC, Xbox consoles, mobile devices, and web browsers, making it widely accessible to players on nearly any platform.

Public Beta Coming Soon

Microsoft reportedly plans to open public beta testing in the coming months. Once testing is complete, the ad-supported version is expected to launch globally, offering players a new way to experience cloud gaming — no subscription required.

This move marks a significant step toward making the Xbox ecosystem more accessible, giving gamers a chance to try out cloud streaming with minimal barriers while introducing a new monetization model for Microsoft’s expanding gaming services.