Microsoft puts Xbox Cloud Gaming on a 15-hour monthly meter

Microsoft is putting a hard cap on Xbox Cloud Gaming, turning unlimited streaming into a monthly allowance.

Starting in November, Microsoft is capping Xbox Cloud Gaming access across all Game Pass tiers, as reported by The Verge. Ultimate subscribers will get 15 hours a month, Premium gets 10 hours, and Essential drops to 5 hours. If you run out, you will have to buy hour bundles in the Xbox store (which do roll over if unused). Microsoft says the limits will impact only 4 percent of subscribers and blamed the growing cost of running cloud servers for longer play sessions.

Why it matters: Game streaming is shifting from an all-you-can-eat feature to a metered utility. That is tough news for Xbox One owners who rely on the cloud to play newer Series X games, as well as anyone who uses quick streams to test games before downloading them.

Know this: On the flip side, people without a Game Pass subscription will soon be able to buy hour bundles directly from the Xbox Store to stream eligible games they already own.

Unlimited streaming was great while it lasted, but server bills always come due.