Microsoft lets non-subscribers buy Xbox cloud gaming hours a la carte

In November, Microsoft will allow anyone to stream games they own via Xbox Cloud Gaming without a Game Pass subscription, paying only for playtime hours purchased through the Xbox Store. This pay-as-you-go model is aimed at occasional users and those without an Xbox, complementing the new monthly caps for subscribers. Microsoft is also testing ad-supported free cloud gaming for Xbox Insiders.

The new hourly purchase model arrives alongside tightened limits for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, who will now face a 15-hour monthly cap on cloud streaming. This dual approach suggests Microsoft is segmenting its audience—heavy subscribers get capped access, while casual players can buy exactly what they need.

The company's broader push into cloud gaming has been complicated by platform restrictions. Apple's App Store policies prevent in-app game purchases on iOS, forcing users to navigate to a browser for cloud streaming. Microsoft has also faced obstacles with Google's Android store policies, delaying its planned mobile game storefront.