Want to play XBOX games anywhere on any device without paying a penny? Microsoft will let you pick up where you left off in any of your games on a slew of different devices, from Fire TV Stick to laptops, tablets to handhelds.
Any XBOX games in your library can be streamed over the internet. Progress is synchronised, ready for you to restart from the same point when you next fire up your console. Until now, streaming XBOX games from your library via the Cloud Gaming feature was only possible for those with a subscription to XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, which costs £16.99 per month, and unlocks access to over 400 titles from Microsoft-owned studios, Ubisoft, and EA.
With the latest trial, XBOX wants to launch a free ad-supported version of the functionality.
To start playing your XBOX game on any device, you'll need to watch an advertisement before starting your session. In exchange for viewing these ads, you'll be able to stream games you already own for up to an hour at a time.
For now, this is a limited trial for XBOX Insiders to see whether there's interest in the feature.
Microsoft has positioned the ad-supported service as an alternative route into cloud gaming, letting you bypass traditional subscription fees. If you enjoy the flexibility of accessing games from anywhere, the Redmond-based firm hopes that you'll subscribe to its Game Pass tiers, which let you stream and download a slew of other titles.
Cloud streaming games on a PlayStation 5 or PlayStation Portal requires a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, which costs £13.49 per month or £119.99 for 12 months. Sony doesn't offer the ability to stream titles via the internet to a range of different devices, including set-top boxes and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, like XBOX.
XBOX regularly refreshes the catalogue of titles available with Game Pass, like Netflix.
Microsoft outlined several principles governing its approach to advertising for players. In a blog post, it states: "For many players, the device they already own now allows them to stream games with XBOX.
"Cloud can also help XBOX One owners play newer games built for XBOX Series X|S without needing to purchase new hardware right away. That can be especially meaningful in places where consoles are harder to find or less affordable, giving more players another way to access great games on devices they already have.
"Advertising has existed in gaming for decades, from in-game placements to free-to-play models. But it hasn’t always been built with the player in mind. When done well, advertising can help lower the cost of access.
"It creates another way for players to get into games without an upfront streaming purchase and expands audiences through new ways to play."
XBOX Chief Executive Asha Sharma previously slashed the cost of Game Pass by removing the newest Call of Duty titles from the catalogue as she sought to make gaming more affordable, despite spiralling hardware costs.
The ex-Facebook Messenger executive has pushed teams to "innovate aggressively" in a bid to keep prices low for the next generation of console. The trial of ad-supported streaming could be the result of ongoing efforts to keep prices affordable for players across the globe.
You must already own the games you wish to stream through this advertising-supported tier. The selection of available titles is currently restricted during this testing phase. Once you select a game, a series of advertisements will appear before your session commences. Microsoft has stated that the actual gameplay experience remains free from interruptions, with all promotional content confined to the pre-session period.
The service is entirely voluntary. You can opt for traditional streaming methods through an Xbox Game Pass subscription at any point if you prefer an advertisement-free experience.
If you own an older Xbox One console, this service could prove particularly useful for accessing newer games developed specifically for the latest Xbox Series X and Series S hardware. Cloud streaming enables you to play these more recent titles without purchasing upgraded equipment, since the processing all happens on servers.
Microsoft has highlighted the potential value for players in regions where gaming consoles prove difficult to obtain or less economically accessible. The advertising-supported model means the device you currently possess can serve as a gateway to games that would otherwise require substantial hardware investment.
This advertising-supported initiative arrives during a challenging period for Microsoft's gaming division. Over the past 15 months, you may have noticed substantial shifts affecting the Xbox platform that could influence your gaming choices. Console pricing has increased multiple times following tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump in April 2025. A further price rise is scheduled for tomorrow due to continuing memory supply constraints.
Leadership at Xbox has changed, with Asha Sharma replacing Phil Spencer as head of the division.
Earlier this month, Microsoft announced redundancies affecting thousands of employees whilst seeking buyers for four development studios: Double Fine, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs and Compulsion Games. Despite these difficulties causing concern amongst players, Microsoft has confirmed its intention to launch a successor console in 2027.
