Xbox Cloud Gaming boosts playtime: +45% in streaming hours

The service is living one of its best moments after Microsoft's latest changes.

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Microsoft’s bet on cloud gaming is starting to show very tangible results. Since the company expanded access to Xbox Cloud Gaming beyond the Ultimate plan (including it in Game Pass Core and Standard) the use of the service has not stopped growing, especially among those who already use it as the main entrance to the catalog.

This move has indirectly lowered the cost of streaming for thousands of users, and the consequence is clear: more players, more hours, and more presence of cloud gaming within the Xbox ecosystem.

Xbox Cloud Gaming sees a 45% increase in gameplay hours, according to Microsoft

According to official data shared by Microsoft, cloud gaming hours among Game Pass subscribers have increased by 45% compared to last year, a significant increase that confirms the adoption of the service across all types of devices.

• Microsoft also highlights a behavior that is becoming increasingly widespread among console users: cloud gaming time from Xbox Series and Xbox One has grown by another 45%, taking advantage of the option to start games instantly without the need for downloads. On mobile devices, tablets, and TVs, the increase is also solid, with a 24% increase in gameplay hours.
• The company has a clear goal: to bring its games to as many players as possible and on any available screen. Within that plan, cloud gaming is a key piece both technically and commercially. Microsoft even mentions that it is studying new access formulas, including a possible free level of Xbox Cloud Gaming with advertising, which could open the service to millions of additional users.

In a moment where flexibility makes all the difference, Xbox Cloud Gaming demonstrates that it continues to gain ground and that the latest decisions by the Redmond team are having a real impact on how we play.