# Ads are coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming, and an executive thinks this is the only way to avoid ‘dramatic’ price increases in the industry

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/ads-are-coming-to-xbox-cloud-gaming-and-an-executive-thinks-this-is-the-only-way-to-avoid-dramatic-price-increases-in-the-industry/
- Published: 2026-11-13T16:16:26+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T17:49:39+00:00
- Original publisher: Destructoid
- Original article: https://www.destructoid.com/xbox-cloud-gaming-ads/
- Topics: Entertainment, Gaming

## Key points

- Xbox Cloud Gaming now offers a free ad-supported option.
- An Xbox executive sees ads as one way to offset rising costs.
- Advertising may not suit every game or platform.

## Summary

Xbox Cloud Gaming has introduced a free, ad-supported option, as Microsoft general manager Jonathan Stringfield argues advertising could help fund access to games and limit pressure for steep price rises. He says the industry faces rising costs and sustainability challenges, which could otherwise push more of the expense on to players.

Stringfield told GamesBeat that advertising is one possible way to support the current games business model, alongside subscriptions and other recurring revenue. He cautioned that ads will not suit every game, console or platform. The article notes that many people pay for services specifically to avoid advertising, so how widely ads can work in gaming remains uncertain.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.