Story Highlights
  • Microsoft is said to be working on a cloud-based tier for Game Pass.
  • The tier would be cheaper and more approachable than the Game Pass Ultimate. 
  • Microsoft is also exploring the potential of ad-based tiers, but no active plans are being worked on for this service.

Amidst the controversy over Xbox degrading Game Pass, while inflating the price, Microsoft could be working on further changes to the subscription. A new report states that Microsoft is working on a new, cheaper cloud-only subscription tier.

Why it matters: Microsoft’s intent has been quite clear for the past few months. As it continues to focus on software sales, it recently listed a bundle on Amazon that only featured the Xbox controller, Fire Stick, and Game Pass Ultimate.

Microsoft Xbox Activision Blizzard King
Microsoft is working on a cloud-based subscription tier.

According to Windows Central’s Jez Corden, Microsoft is looking to make Game Pass more accessible. The new tier is said to be much cheaper and more approachable than Game Pass Ultimate since it won’t require an Xbox.

Furthermore, Jez Corden discussed the potential ad-based tier that recently became a hot topic. According to his sources, this is something Microsoft is interested in. However, the gaming giant is not actively working toward such a tier.

Ultimately, the gaming giant aims to make Game Pass as affordable and accessible as possible. The report also hints that more information about the Game Pass Friends and Family Plan could be coming soon.

Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft was criticized for degrading Game Pass.

As Game Pass continues to evolve, the service is expected to make over $5.5 billion in revenue by 2025. The cloud-only tier could help the revenue growth even more since it would eliminate the console requirement altogether.

Xbox Game Pass has received plenty of criticism recently, but it’s clear that nothing is set in stone yet. The service is constantly evolving, so fans should expect plenty of changes in the coming years.

Considering the quality of the games coming in the upcoming months, Xbox’s cloud-only tier does not sound like a bad idea. By the time it arrives, cloud gaming will have improved a lot, making it useful for millions across the globe.

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Abdullah Waseem
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