Microsoft has revealed pricing for Xbox Cloud Gaming playtime passes, which let players stream games beyond the new monthly hour limits without an Xbox Game Pass subscription. The passes start at $3.99 for 10 hours, and Microsoft is adding a free ad-supported tier alongside them. Both options are live for Xbox Insider Program members now, ahead of the November launch of the new gaming limits.

The passes arrive weeks after Microsoft announced the end of unlimited cloud playtime for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. Starting in November, Xbox Cloud Gaming through Game Pass is capped at a set number of hours each month, depending on the tier.

Microsoft is offering three paid passes plus the free option, all streaming at up to roughly 1080p:

• 10 hours for $3.99
• 25 hours for $7.99
• 50 hours for $11.99
• 30 minutes per session for free, with ads

"Cloud playtime packs provide an ad-free cloud gaming experience, including shorter wait times, high-quality streaming, and playtime that remains available until it's used," Microsoft says in a blog post. The hours do not expire until they are fully used, so a 50-hour pass bought now can cover sessions spread across the year.

The free tier works differently. During the Xbox Insider test, sessions are limited to 30 minutes. After that, an ad plays and the player has to re-queue to continue.

The playtime passes sit on top of the hour allowances that come with each Xbox Game Pass tier in the US:

• Essential ($9.99 per month): 5 hours of cloud gaming per month, 50+ games, up to roughly 1080p
• Premium ($14.99 per month): 10 hours per month, 200+ games, up to roughly 1080p
• Ultimate ($22.99 per month): 15 hours per month, 400+ games, day-one Xbox titles, up to 1440p

Players who stream regularly can work out which option fits before the limits arrive in November:

1. Estimate the number of Xbox Cloud Gaming hours used in a typical month.
2. Compare that number with the 5, 10, or 15 hours included in the current Game Pass tier.
3. Cover any shortfall with a 10, 25, or 50 hour pass, keeping in mind that unused hours carry over until spent.
4. Use the free ad-supported tier for short sessions where the 30-minute cap and re-queueing are acceptable.

For players without Game Pass, the passes are a new way into Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft has been experimenting with other ways to reach players outside the console, including the Xbox Labs group for browser games.

The playtime passes and the free tier are limited to Xbox Insider Program members for now, and the session cap for the ad-supported option is described only for that test run.