Xbox Cloud Gaming Adds Pay-As-You-Go Hour Packages
Microsoft's new game time packages let Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers buy extra cloud play hours ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Gaming
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Microsoft has launched sale of individual game time packages for Xbox Cloud Gaming, with three ad-free options offering shorter queue times. The new pricing menu appears in the Cloud Gaming section of Xbox console settings.
Why it matters
The packages are primarily aimed at owners of last-generation Xbox One consoles who cannot play Grand Theft Auto VI locally. Cloud access that was previously unlimited with the subscription now carries a paid add-on option for heavier players across the United States.
Three ad-free packages are priced at $3.99 for 10 hours, $7.99 for 25 hours and $11.99 for 50 hours. Purchased time is credited to the general account balance and does not expire at the end of the calendar month.
The players
Microsoft
Microsoft is the American technology company that operates the Xbox console line and its Xbox Cloud Gaming and Game Pass subscription services.
The details
Purchased game time is spent only when users log in to cloud sessions and applies to accounts with a valid Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Monthly included hours are used first, after which the additional balance is drawn down.
Timeline
Nov. 14, 2026: New pricing menu appeared in Xbox console settings.
Next week: Grand Theft Auto VI release, which the packages are tied to.
Culture Shift
The move from unlimited bundled cloud play under Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to metered, purchasable hours reflects a broader shift toward usage-based pricing in subscription gaming. It arrives as Grand Theft Auto VI pushes players on older Xbox One hardware toward streaming.
Owners of Xbox One consoles who want to play Grand Theft Auto VI through the cloud can buy 10, 25 or 50 hours without changing their Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Hours bought now stay on the account until they are used, rather than expiring at the end of each month.
The takeaway
If you rely on cloud play, track your monthly included hours first so you only buy extra time when you actually need it. Packages that do not expire can cover heavy weeks around a major release.
Further reading
Explore more Gaming coverage for context on how cloud play and console subscriptions are evolving.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GameGPU.
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