Microsoft to open Xbox Cloud Gaming to everyone! How will the free version work?

According to new information, Microsoft is working on a free version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, which is expected to be ad-funded. While the current version of the service requires an active Xbox Game Pass subscription, the new variant should be available for free – albeit with a number of limitations. It will be direct competition to Nvidia’s free version of GeForce Now, which operates on a similar principle.

How will it work?

According to information from The Verge, which cites its sources, the free variant of Xbox Cloud Gaming will be ad-funded. Specifically, it will involve a two-minute ad before each gaming session. That’s not too bad – two minutes of ads for an hour of gaming is still better than watching ads on TV.

However, time limits will be a bigger issue. Users will be able to play for a maximum of one hour per session, with a total monthly limit of five hours. This is a rather strict limitation – five hours a month averages 10 minutes a day, which is not much for serious gaming.

However, Microsoft reportedly plans to gradually increase the limits, if the service gains sufficient interest.

What games will be available?

As for the game offering, the free version of Xbox Cloud Gaming will include:

• Games you already own – if you’ve purchased a game on Xbox, you’ll be able to stream it for free
• Retro titles – older games from Xbox history
• Rotating selection of various games – this will likely be a changing selection, similar to free games on the Epic Games Store

Details regarding resolution and graphical quality are not yet known. Currently, Xbox Cloud Gaming supports a maximum of 1440p, so the free version will likely arrive with 1080p resolution.

Is it a good idea?

It depends on how you look at it. For users, it’s essentially a win – you get the chance to try cloud gaming for free, albeit with limitations. For Microsoft, it’s a risky move – they need to balance infrastructure costs with how many people actually convert to the paid version.

I see the biggest problem in the monthly limit of five hours. That’s really not much – for example, one evening session can take three hours, meaning you can play a maximum of twice a month. This is more suitable for occasionally trying out a game than for regular play.

In any case, if Microsoft truly launches a free version, it will be interesting to see how quickly the limits will increase. If it turns out that the infrastructure can handle it and people actively use the service, the limits could rise to 10 or even 15 hours a month – which is a more usable number.

Would you try the free version of Xbox Cloud Gaming?

Source: The Verge