It's official: Xbox is testing an ad-supported version of its game streaming service. According to Microsoft's announcement on Xbox Wire on July 23, select Xbox Insiders will now be able to stream games they own for free, though advertisements will play at the beginning of each session.
During this limited test period, players will see ads before gameplay begins and face a one-hour session limit across supported devices and regions. Microsoft states that "the core game experience is unchanged" once players get past the initial advertisements, and the option is entirely optional: players can choose other ways to access games at any time.
The model mirrors ad-supported tiers from streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Prime Video, which offer cheaper plans funded by advertising revenue. As reported by GamesRadar, the move represents another step in the industry's effort to monetize screen time and gameplay space.
Microsoft has not disclosed how many titles will be included in the test or how long the pilot phase will last. The program is currently restricted to Xbox Insiders.
