Microsoft is introducing hourly limits on Xbox Cloud Gaming, set to take effect in November. This change applies to users of its Game Pass subscription tiers. Subscribers of Game Pass Essential will be restricted to 5 hours of cloud gaming per month, while Premium tier users will be limited to 10 hours, and Ultimate subscribers will have access to 15 hours. Previously, cloud gaming was unlimited, although Essential users often faced longer wait times to start playing. The company estimates that this change will impact about 4% of its subscribers. Once users exceed their monthly limit, they will be able to buy extra hours from the Xbox Store. However, the cost for these additional hours has not yet been announced. In November, Microsoft will also introduce a new feature that allows non-Game Pass users to purchase streaming time for the games they own, provided those games are compatible with cloud streaming. Specific details about this new offering are still under development. Microsoft has officially confirmed the end of unlimited streaming on Xbox Cloud Gaming, with varying monthly hour limits based on the Game Pass subscription level. This move follows a series of controversial decisions by the company this year, including internal restructuring, console price hikes, and the closure of several game studios, which suggest growing financial challenges for the Xbox ecosystem. The new quotas range from 5 to 15 hours per month, with Ultimate subscribers receiving the most time. The company cites increased user numbers and longer average game sessions as reasons for the change, which have led to higher operating costs for cloud gaming. Microsoft claims the new hourly system will help maintain the reliability and performance of the service. The timing of the change coincides with the release of GTA 6, which is expected in November. Some analysts suggest that the shift to a pay-per-hour model could make cloud gaming more appealing to cost-conscious gamers, especially as console prices have risen due to increased costs for components like semiconductors and RAM. The final pricing for additional hours, the list of supported games, and a feature to track remaining time will be revealed when the update officially launches in November.