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Sources: Microsoft is preparing to launch a session-based ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier in 2026; users note Xbox Cloud Gaming now references "ad support" (Jez Corden/Windows Central)

ThinkingNews Desk · how this was written

Microsoft is set to add an ad-supported tier to Xbox Cloud Gaming, slated for launch in 2026. The free tier will give non-subscribers up to five hours of gameplay each month, limited to one-hour sessions that include preroll advertisements, and will allow streaming of games they own but not access to the full Xbox Cloud Gaming library.

Written from all 3 reports below, not from any single one.

How it was reported

  1. TechMeme·
    Sources: Microsoft is preparing to launch a session-based ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier in 2026; users note Xbox Cloud Gaming now references "ad support" (Jez Corden/Windows Central)

    Microsoft is preparing to launch an ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier in 2026. Xbox Cloud Gaming now references "ad support" when launching games. This confirms earlier reports of a session-based ad-supported tier.

  2. Ars Technica·
    Reports of ad-supported Xbox game streams show Microsoft's lack of imagination

    Microsoft's Cloud Gaming service may offer ad-supported game streams to non-subscribers. The service will have limited ad-supported playtime, around 1 hour per session. It will allow non-subscribers to stream purchased games, but not the full Xbox Cloud Gaming library.

  3. The Verge·
    Microsoft’s free Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming soon with ads

    Microsoft's free Xbox Cloud Gaming with ads is coming soon. The service will offer 1 hour of ad-supported playtime per session, with up to 5 hours free per month. It includes preroll ads before streaming games.

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