Microsoft has announced new restrictions on cloud gaming for Xbox Game Pass subscribers beginning in November. The streaming service will now operate under monthly hour caps that vary based on subscription tier, with Essential members receiving 5 hours, Premium subscribers getting 10 hours, and Ultimate users accessing 15 hours each month. Non-subscribers will have the option to purchase additional streaming hours through the Xbox store.
While Microsoft claims the restriction will impact only 4 percent of Game Pass users, the timing raises concerns for gamers. Grand Theft Auto VI launches in November, and should the highly anticipated title eventually join the Game Pass catalog, players would be limited to streaming it for no more than 15 hours monthly. This constraint represents a significant shift from the previously unlimited streaming access that subscribers have enjoyed.
The move adds to a series of recent setbacks for Xbox’s public perception. The company has faced scrutiny over leadership changes, price increases on gaming hardware, and other controversies within the gaming community. Industry observers suggest that implementing streaming restrictions coinciding with a major game release may further strain Xbox’s standing among players already frustrated by recent developments.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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