Microsoft Hints at Affordable Xbox Cloud Gaming Options
Microsoft is exploring ways to make Xbox Cloud Gaming more affordable, according to recent statements from Jason Ronald, the company’s Vice President of Next Generation. The initiative comes as competition from Nvidia’s GeForce Now intensifies, forcing the tech giant to rethink its pricing strategy. “I think for us, it really opens up the opportunity to make it much more affordable, and make it more accessible to players,” Ronald stated in the official Xbox podcast. The current model ties Xbox Cloud Gaming exclusively to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $19.99 per month, reports 24brussels.
Microsoft’s efforts to introduce a cost-effective version of Xbox Cloud Gaming follow hints dropped two years ago about an independent “dedicated” version of the service. The company is also considering a model that would allow a free version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, funded by advertisements. Currently, Xbox Cloud Gaming is restricted to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, but Ronald suggested new avenues for access and expansion.
“There’s a lot of players who use Game Pass Ultimate to access the cloud, whether that’s the primary way they play or an additional way to play on the go,” Ronald noted. He indicated that the idea of expanding into new regions could help democratize access to cloud-based gaming.
Ahead of significant updates from Nvidia regarding GeForce Now, Microsoft finds itself at a critical junction. GeForce Now is recognized for its superior performance due to its PC-centric architecture, offering better bitrates, higher resolutions, and lower latency. As a response, Microsoft has integrated aspects of GeForce Now into its own Xbox game pages, indicating an awareness of the competitive landscape.
Ronald did not commit to a specific announcement about launching a new tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming but made it clear that the company has been contemplating this direction for several years. In line with this, Microsoft expanded Xbox Cloud Gaming functionalities in 2024, enabling users to stream games they own if they maintain their Ultimate subscription.
With the potential for further lowering the Ultimate paywall, Microsoft had previously intended to sell games directly through its Xbox app for Android devices, allowing immediate streaming. However, ongoing legal disputes have stalled those plans.
As Microsoft gears up for the next generation of Xbox Cloud Gaming and advancements in its console hardware, the focus on dedicated silicon and new rendering technologies could revolutionize the gaming experience. Ronald emphasized, “We’re investing deeply in the next generation of rendering technologies, such as neural rendering, which will bring a new level of quality to the games that you’re having.”
In anticipation of these changes, Microsoft is committed to pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities within gaming. “We’re also investing in dedicated silicon to enable the next generation of AI capabilities,” Ronald added, indicating that the upcoming Xbox Ally X device would feature AI-driven enhancements.
