Microsoft is overhauling Xbox Cloud Gaming, introducing a pay-as-you-go option from November that will let anyone stream eligible games they own without needing an Xbox Game Pass subscription. The move aims to attract casual users, particularly those without an Xbox console or who mostly play on mobile devices, as Microsoft continues its long-running push to grow Xbox's reach beyond traditional hardware.

Alongside the new option, Microsoft is imposing monthly cloud gaming hour limits on Game Pass subscribers, with Ultimate members capped at just 15 hours a month, potentially pushing heavy users towards paid hourly bundles. Microsoft is also trialling free, ad-supported cloud gaming for Xbox Insiders. The changes come as the company continues to face obstacles launching a full Xbox mobile store on iOS and Android due to Apple and Google's app store policies, though Xbox chief Asha Sharma has said the ambition "is not dead".