Microsoft Brings Ads To Xbox In A Big New Way, Promises No Gameplay Interruption

The useful part

Microsoft has rolled out a test for its free, ad-supported version of cloud gaming. Select members of the Xbox Insider program can start testing this out today. The ads do not interrupt the gameplay experience like they might for ads on a TV or movie streaming platform.

How it works

• The test allows people to play games for free, in exchange for watching ads.
• Sessions are limited to one hour per session, at least for now, as part of this early test version that supports games people already own.
• This is a limited-time test version of free gaming with ads, Microsoft clarified.
• The program was available internally to Microsoft employees last year, and now it's rolling out to the public for another round of tests.
• Microsoft said in its announcement that playing games like this, over the cloud, can help with the affordability crisis going on now in games.

What to take from it

A new Xbox, after all, is more expensive than ever due to the memory and component issues. With cloud streaming, people who might still be playing on an Xbox One can play the newest games without having to buy any new hardware.

Example or evidence

• As announced by Microsoft, ads play before people get into a session.