Xbox is capping cloud gaming time at 15 hours a month for Game Pass subscribers, introducing strict limits for its £16.99 Ultimate plan. The move, due to rising costs, aims to fund improved service reliability and performance. Premium users get 10 hours, and basic subscribers only five, before they must pay for extra time.
The decision has sparked debate. One commenter on X criticized the limit, stating, '15hrs is abysmal. 30 minutes a day, really?' Jez Corden of Windows Central opined that the move shows Microsoft's priorities, contrasting it with the unlimited free access to AI tools.
Asha Sharma, Xbox's CEO, highlighted the 'Rampocalypse' in computing prices, stating that the industry needs to innovate on affordability and efficiency. While this move might help, it comes after 3,200 job cuts at Xbox, including the independence of acquired studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions.
Despite the changes, some believe cloud gaming will become the norm, with Jeff Gattiss of Amazon predicting a shift towards online streaming due to tech costs. However, the technology still faces reliability issues and additional fees that may limit its appeal.
