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Microsoft Wants to Show You Ads in Between Boss Fights
ign.com • • technology
Key Points:
- Microsoft has filed a patent for a system that pauses Xbox games to show ads, granting players limited game access time (15 minutes to an hour) after watching the ad.
- This ad-supported model could serve as a way to rent games temporarily, potentially addressing recent limitations like the 15-hour monthly cap on Xbox Cloud Gaming for Game Pass Ultimate users.
- It is unclear if or when Microsoft will implement this technology, but the move aligns with broader trends toward ad-supported tiers in subscription services.
- The patent emerges amid Microsoft's efforts to increase Xbox profitability, including recent layoffs, handing over Halo to Activision, and preparing for costly projects like Project Helix.
- Consumer acceptance may hinge on whether ads enable free or discounted play, as there is resistance to ads in full-priced games, paralleling trends seen with other streaming services like Disney+.
