MICROSOFT TESTS FREE AD-SUPPORTED XBOX CLOUD GAMING

The Redmond-based company is rolling out the feature to select Xbox Insiders as part of its testing phase. The free tier requires watching ads in exchange for access to cloud gaming sessions capped at 60 minutes for owned titles. This move represents Microsoft's effort to lower barriers to cloud gaming adoption. The service lets users stream games they've purchased without additional subscription fees, though the one-hour session limit and mandatory advertisements distinguish it from premium offerings. Microsoft hasn't announced a broader release date or confirmed which games will be included in the initial rollout. The company continues expanding Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and other subscription services, but this ad-supported option targets users seeking free access. The test comes as cloud gaming adoption remains modest among console and PC gamers, with latency and streaming quality remaining key consumer concerns.