Xbox Cloud Gaming with ads could be very close to becoming a reality

Tom Warren points to a new ad-supported model that would expand access to cloud gaming.

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Over the past few hours, a movement that Xbox has been exploring for some time has gained momentum: the arrival of Xbox Cloud Gaming with ads. The hint doesn’t come from just anywhere, but from Tom Warren, one of the most reliable journalists when it comes to information related to Microsoft and Xbox.

According to Warren himself, Xbox is preparing a Cloud Gaming mode with ads, which would allow playing in streaming without the need for a full subscription, in exchange for integrated advertising. It’s not an official announcement, but it fits perfectly with the strategy that Microsoft has been following for months.

The idea is not new. Xbox has already confirmed on several occasions that it wants to bring cloud gaming to more users, especially those who are not willing to pay a monthly subscription. An ad-based model would allow opening the door to millions of casual gamers, mobile devices, Smart TVs, and devices without a dedicated console or PC.

Xbox Cloud Gaming with ads: what’s coming

If it’s finally confirmed, this ad-based model could work in several ways:

• Ads before starting the gaming session

• Occasional ad breaks between games

• Limited access to time or catalog compared to paid plans

All of this would allow access to Xbox Cloud Gaming without a direct cost, strengthening Xbox’s position against other streaming platforms and expanding its global reach.

• This move would also fit with the new Xbox Game Pass structure, where Microsoft already clearly differentiates between Essential, Premium, and Ultimate plans, leaving room for alternative formulas that don’t involve traditional subscription.

For now, Xbox has not made any official announcement, but coming from a source as reliable as Tom Warren, everything points to seeing news sooner rather than later. If confirmed, it would be one of the most important steps Xbox has taken in its bid to democratize access to cloud gaming.