Microsoft’s free Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming soon with ads

Microsoft has been testing its ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming service over the past few months, as I exclusively revealed in October. Now, the software giant is getting close to testing the free streaming option with Xbox Insiders.

Over the weekend, Microsoft updated its Xbox app with loading screens for Xbox Cloud Gaming that mention “1 hour of ad-supported playtime per session.” That lines up with Microsoft’s internal testing, which has been limited to one-hour sessions, with up to five hours free per month.

Sources told me in October that internal testing includes around two minutes of preroll ads before a game is available to stream for free through Xbox Cloud Gaming. The free ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming will include the ability to stream some games you own, as well as trying out eligible Free Play Days titles over a weekend. You’ll also be able to stream Xbox Retro Classics games with preroll ads.

Microsoft officially confirmed it was testing the ad-supported service just weeks after my report, and I’m now expecting it to be officially announced and in public testing in the coming weeks.