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Xbox tells existing Game Pass members its new cloud gaming cap doesn’t apply to them, but only in certain countries
Video Games Chronicle • • technology
Key Points:
- Xbox announced it will cap cloud gaming hours for Game Pass subscribers starting November, with limits of 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 hours for Premium, and 5 hours for Essential members, requiring additional purchases if exceeded.
- Some Game Pass subscribers in certain countries, including Australia, Brazil, Poland, and Germany, have received emails stating these new caps will not apply to their current subscriptions as long as they remain active on auto-renewal plans.
- The exemption emails have not been sent to subscribers in the US, Canada, or the UK, likely due to differing regional legal restrictions on subscription changes and required notice periods.
- Xbox justified the cap by citing rising costs of cloud gaming services as usage increases, aiming to maintain service reliability and performance, while acknowledging the changes will increase costs for about 4% of subscribers based on current usage.
- Subscribers who cancel and repurchase plans will be subject to the new cloud gaming hour limits, with Xbox promising at least 60 days' notice for any future changes affecting existing accounts.
