Microsoft is giving Xbox Insiders the chance to stream their games for free, with one catch – those sessions are ad-supported and limited to an hour. The service will only be available during a 'test period,' but it could signal a shift towards more affordable gaming experiences.

The move comes at a time of upheaval for Xbox, which has seen mass layoffs, studio closures, and a focus on the popular Fallout series. Meanwhile, increasing Game Pass prices might suggest a strategy to keep costs down while adding cloud gaming perks to lower-tier subscriptions.

Cloud gaming could potentially help older Xbox One owners access games built for newer consoles without upgrading, though this feature is currently limited by the free streaming's one-hour cap and ad requirements.

This test of ad-supported streaming is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to expand affordable gaming options. Similar models are becoming common in video streaming, where ad tiers have long been a staple. Could ads soon be as ubiquitous in gaming?