Microsoft will end unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming for Game Pass subscribers in November. Monthly hour caps will replace open streaming, and extra time will be sold through the Xbox Store. Xbox says the change is needed because cloud costs rise as more people stream for longer.

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The new monthly allowances are 15 hours for Game Pass Ultimate, 10 hours for Premium, and 5 hours for Essential. Eligible members can stream without those caps today. After November, players who hit the limit can buy more hours. Non-subscribers will also be able to buy playtime and stream eligible games they already own on supported devices.Xbox has not published prices. Bundles, features, and availability may differ by market. The company said it will share pricing, eligible games, and how players can check remaining time in November. Later reporting said purchased hour bundles may roll over or lack a use-by date, but Xbox has not confirmed final terms.

The company expects about 4 percent of Game Pass subscribers to be affected, meaning most members use cloud play lightly or not at all. Heavy users on phones, TVs, travel devices, or older consoles will feel the cap first. In the United States, Ultimate costs $22.99 a month, Premium $14.99, and Essential $9.99. Fifteen hours is about half an hour a day across a 30-day month. Local play on console or PC is unchanged.

Xbox One owners will still be able to stream eligible Series X|S games without buying a new console right away, which Xbox says matters in markets where hardware is scarce or expensive. The company also plans to add cloud support for more games through the year.

The rollout is not uniform. Microsoft has emailed some current members in markets including Australia, Brazil, and Germany to say existing subscriptions will not face the new limits. Rival Nvidia GeForce Now already uses monthly caps on paid plans, but those plans include 100 hours, far more than Xbox Ultimate's 15.

Xbox said it will listen to feedback before and after the switch and share any adjustments. Until prices land, the only firm numbers are the caps: 15, 10, and 5 hours, with more time for sale once the clock runs out.