XBOX TESTS FREE, AD-SUPPORTED CLOUD GAMING

Xbox Insiders can now access free cloud gaming sessions without a paid subscription. The test allows streaming of games already in a user's library, with each session capped at one hour. Ads play only before sessions start—not during gameplay. Users with paid Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions can skip ads entirely. Microsoft says this is a temporary test period only. The move mirrors Nvidia's GeForce Now strategy, which offers free ad-supported tiers alongside premium options. The company has not announced when the test will end or if the feature will become permanent. Details on ad frequency and format remain limited. This marks Microsoft's effort to expand cloud gaming's reach beyond subscription-based models, potentially bringing more users into its Xbox ecosystem.