October 22, 2026 Kai Mercer
Microsoft is trying a new way to sell cloud gaming. Xbox Insiders who don't subscribe to Game Pass can now buy cloud playtime by the hour, with the starter bundle priced at $3.99 for 10 hours.
It's aimed at players who only stream occasionally and don't want another monthly bill. You still need to own the games you stream, but you skip the subscription.
It's an Insider-only test for now. If it rolls out widely, it could be the cheapest way to try big releases on a phone, tablet or low-end laptop.