Microsoft Hints at More Affordable Xbox Cloud Gaming Option

Microsoft is looking at making Xbox Cloud Gaming more affordable with a potential new offering that could lower the cost for users.
Access to Xbox Cloud Gaming is only currently possible through the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, priced at $19.99 per month. But Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of next generation, shared Monday on the official Xbox podcast that the company wants to broaden access to its services. Ronald said this involves making cloud gaming more accessible by opening the service to more regions and offering it in ways that go beyond the current subscription model.
Microsoft has previously mulled the idea of an ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, just like most free applications on mobile devices nowadays. Two years ago, Microsoft Gaming CFO Tim Stuart spoke about the probable introduction of Xbox Cloud Gaming at no cost in exchange for ads, as reported by The Verge.
Although Ronald did not officially announce a new tier or change the service’s pricing, his latest statements point to a new direction for cloud gaming, especially for users on mobile devices.
Plans to sell and stream games directly in the Xbox app for Android are currently delayed due to legal issues, but the company’s overall goal of broader access remains.
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