Xbox Cloud Gaming Is Getting Capped, but Some Subscribers May Escape the Limits

Xbox Cloud Gaming monthly playtime caps are coming in November, but some existing Xbox Game Pass subscribers may avoid the new limits if they keep their current recurring plans active.

Xbox announced on September 4 that it will introduce monthly Cloud Gaming playtime limits starting in November. Players who use up their monthly allowance will be able to purchase additional cloud gaming hours through the Xbox Store.

Some existing Xbox Game Pass subscribers may avoid the limits

Some Xbox Game Pass subscribers have received emails saying the new Cloud Gaming limits currently apply only to new purchases.

Microsoft says existing subscriptions in affected markets will remain unchanged as long as subscribers keep their auto-recurring plans active.

That means some existing subscribers may continue using Xbox Cloud Gaming without the new monthly playtime caps.

Canceling could remove the exemption

Microsoft warns that subscribers who cancel their existing plan and later purchase Game Pass again will receive the monthly Cloud Gaming allowance tied to the plan available at that time.

Xbox also says customers will receive at least 60 days’ notice if it later changes the terms of their existing subscriptions. Subscribers would then be able to cancel or switch plans.

The exemption appears to depend on the region

Reports of the exemption have surfaced from subscribers in several countries, including:

• Australia
• Brazil
• Poland
• Germany

Regional consumer protection laws could explain why some existing subscribers keep their current terms, although Microsoft has not confirmed that.

It also remains unclear which countries and subscribers qualify for the exemption.

Microsoft hasn’t announced broader exemptions

Microsoft has not publicly clarified whether existing subscribers in other countries will also avoid the new monthly Cloud Gaming limits.

For now, subscribers who receive an exemption notice may need to keep their recurring plan active to retain their current Cloud Gaming terms.

Meanwhile, Xbox Cloud Gaming is expanding to more Hisense and VIDAA TVs, while Microsoft recently confirmed that the Xbox app is coming to TCL Smart TVs.

Via TrueAchievements