Xbox Is Exploring Ad-Based And Cloud-Exclusive Game Pass Tiers – Report

Microsoft is reportedly exploring several different new tiers for Xbox Game Pass, including ad-based and cloud-exclusive ones. The previous Game Pass family plan might also be coming back too.

According to a report from Windows Central, Microsoft is working towards a cloud-only version of Xbox Game Pass that is cheaper than an Ultimate tier subscription. This tier is focused on users who aren’t interested in owning an Xbox console. Subscribers to this tier reportedly would also have the ability to “double dip” with their games, meaning that they can play via the cloud and be able to own them digitally.

As for an ad-based tier, Microsoft is reportedly only exploring that option rather than actively working towards it. This tier would be aimed at users who don’t want to spend money on Game Pass at all, but still want access to its games.

Back in 2022, Xbox announced that it would be testing the Game Pass Friends & Family Plan in regions like Ireland and Colombia, where up to four people could share one Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Unfortunately, Xbox ended the preview after than a year, leaving the plan’s future unclear. However, the plan is reportedly not dead yet and could return in some capacity.

Microsoft has recently made some changes to Xbox Game Pass, including making a new tier called Xbox Game Pass Standard and raising the prices of several tiers such as Ultimate and Core. The FTC took notice of these changes and called the new tier a “degraded product,” as it claims that Microsoft is using its market power post-merger of Activision Blizzard to raise prices.