cloud gaming service Archives

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Limits Start in November: 15 Hours on Ultimate

Microsoft will implement monthly limits on Xbox Cloud Gaming starting in November 2026. Game Pass Ultimate members will receive 15 hours of cloud gaming per month, Premium members will have 10 hours, and Essential members will have 5 hours. Additional hours can be purchased, but pricing details are not yet available. Currently, Game Pass subscribers have unlimited access to cloud gaming. Microsoft estimates that only about 4% of subscribers will be affected by these new limits. The service will be accessible on various platforms, and Microsoft plans to expand the library of games available for cloud streaming. The decision to impose limits is attributed to rising infrastructure costs due to increased usage. Specific details regarding the purchase of additional hours and other related information are still pending.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Microsoft announces cap on Xbox Cloud Gaming hours for Game Pass subscribers, admits most aren’t using it much anyway

Microsoft's gaming division is facing challenges due to layoffs, industry consolidation issues, and controversial partnerships. Xbox is increasing service costs for its cloud gaming service, introducing a monthly cap for Game Pass subscribers starting in November, after which additional playtime must be purchased. This change follows a decline in Xbox revenue, which fell by .7 billion over the past year. Xbox also tested an ad-supported game streaming model to boost revenue. The effectiveness of the new pricing strategy is uncertain, especially after a previous price hike led to a loss of "millions" of Game Pass subscribers. Xbox plans to engage with its player base for feedback on these changes.

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

DLsite parent company’s new cloud engine-based service for playing PC titles via mobile launches on August 26

viviON, the parent company of DLsite, will launch its cloud gaming service, viviON Games, on August 26. This service allows users to play PC games on their smartphones using the OOParts cloud gaming engine, eliminating the need for downloads. It aims to enhance accessibility for players and developers, adopting a one-time purchase model. Leading up to the launch, viviON Games is revealing one game per day on its X account, with the first title being Daidai’s adventure horror game, The Aquarium Does Not Dance. A demo showcased various titles, including Yomawari: Lost in the Dark and One Way Heroics Plus, though the final launch lineup is yet to be confirmed.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Nvidia GeForce Now finally comes to Firefox, “months in the making” with support for “over 2,000 games”

Nvidia GeForce Now has launched on Firefox for Windows, allowing users to stream over 2,000 PC games directly from the browser without needing to download a standalone application. The service offers enhanced performance for Ultimate subscribers, reaching RTX 5080-level graphics. Users can multitask with other applications and link their libraries from major PC storefronts like Steam and Epic Games Store. To access the service, users must update to the latest version of Firefox and log in at play.geforcenow.com. Nvidia will share more details about this partnership during Gamescom on August 25.

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

XBOX PC and Games

The PC is a popular platform for gamers, and Windows 11 enhances this experience with features tailored for gaming. It includes an integrated Xbox app that connects with third-party game stores and Microsoft's gaming ecosystem. The Game Bar allows users to capture screenshots, record video clips, and interact with friends on Xbox Live. Xbox Mode optimizes resource usage for gaming but is not enabled by default. Windows 11 comes with pre-installed gaming features, including the Xbox app and Game Bar, which can be customized through the Settings app. Users can configure display settings, connect an Xbox Wireless Controller, and customize the Game Bar and its widgets. The Xbox app allows users to manage their game libraries, access Game Pass subscriptions, and stream games via Cloud Gaming. Microsoft offers various Xbox Game Pass subscription tiers for access to a library of games. Xbox Mode provides a full-screen, controller-optimized interface that enhances gaming performance.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

Game Pass success story: It turns out that when you make things cheaper, more people will buy them

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma indicated a strategic shift in Game Pass pricing, noting that a price reduction has effectively increased consumer interest. In April, Xbox acknowledged the need for "a better value equation" after a significant price increase in October 2025, where the Game Pass Ultimate subscription rose by 50% to .99 per month. Following Sharma's comments, Xbox reduced the Game Pass Ultimate subscription price to .99 per month, though this rate is still higher than pre-increase levels. As a result of these changes, Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Game Pass at launch, with availability expected about a year later. Additionally, an ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming service has emerged, suggesting potential future models for Game Pass. Sharma also mentioned a rebranding of Xbox to XBOX, aimed at better engagement with the player base, although Xbox will not participate in this rebranding effort.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Amazon reveals May 2026 lineup for Luna cloud gaming and free PC games for Prime members

Amazon is enhancing its gaming offerings in May 2026 with new titles for its Luna cloud gaming service and a selection of free PC games for Prime members. Games Coming to Luna in May 2026 (Included with Prime): - Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy - Resident Evil 2 - Alien: Isolation - Middle-earth: Shadow of War - LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars - LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga Free PC Games – May 2026: - May 7: - Mafia II: Definitive Edition – GOG code - Fruitbus – GOG code - May 14: - Survival: Fountain of Youth – Amazon Games code - 60 Minutes to Extinction: Escape Room – GOG code - Lethal Honor: Order of the Apocalypse – Epic Games Store Code - May 21: - Space Grunts – GOG Code - Palindrome Syndrome: Escape Room – GOG Code - Hot Brass – GOG Code - May 28: - Nordic Storm Solitaire – Legacy Games Code - Moon Mystery – Epic Games Store Code - Pro Basketball Manager 2026 – Amazon Games Code

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Amazon’s Luna cloud gaming service is ending support for game purchases and subscriptions from third-party stores, and users will lose streaming access to purchased third-party games in June

Amazon announced a reduction of 14,000 jobs in October 2025, with significant cuts to its gaming division as part of a strategic shift away from competing with platforms like Steam. The focus will now be on enhancing the Luna cloud gaming service, which will no longer support the purchase of games from third-party stores such as EA, Ubisoft, and GOG. Subscriptions for Ubisoft+ and Jackbox Games will be discontinued, although users who previously purchased games from these developers can stream them until June 10, 2026. The decision to eliminate third-party game access was based on feedback from players seeking easier access to games and more social experiences. This change raises concerns about Luna's appeal in comparison to competing services like Xbox Game Pass. Some suggest this may encourage users to transition to Luna Premium, which requires an additional monthly fee.

BetaBeacon

April 11, 2026

Amazon’s idea of improving Luna involves stripping back most of it

Amazon Luna is removing game purchases, third-party subscriptions, and game stores, simplifying its offerings starting on April 10. Subscriptions to Ubisoft Plus and Jackbox through Luna will be automatically canceled after one final renewal at the end of the current billing cycle.