Rumored: Microsoft Explores Offering Free Xbox Game Pass via Ad-Watching Engagement
Xbox CFO Suggests Potential: 30-Second Ad View for 2 Hours of Game Streaming
Reportedly, Microsoft is contemplating a groundbreaking proposition—offering free game streaming in exchange for advertising. According to TweakTown, Xbox Gaming CFO Tim Stuart broached this idea at the recent Wells Fargo TMT Summit. Stuart highlighted the potential of the company’s xCloud service in widening its geographical reach, envisioning a scenario where players could access cloud-streamed games across various “endpoints” through a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. He mentioned, “For models like Africa, or India, Southeast Asia, maybe places that aren’t console-first, you can say, ‘Hey, do you want to watch 30 seconds of an ad and then get two hours of game streaming?'”
If realized, this proposition could revolutionize gaming accessibility, especially for mobile gamers who simply require a reliable internet connection to access the extensive Xbox Game Pass library. Microsoft’s aim appears to be making its game subscription service available on as many screens as possible, and the idea of offering it for free in exchange for ad views seems promising. Notably, in certain regions like India, where premium game purchases are less common due to regional pricing challenges, this approach might substantially reduce reliance on piracy.
Previously, Xbox had sought feedback from Xbox Insiders about extending Game Pass time in return for ad consumption, as highlighted by researcher Title_OS. Additionally, there were reports of a survey gauging user sentiment towards a low-cost, ad-supported Game Pass subscription, albeit with restrictions like a six-month delay on new game releases.
Stuart further elaborated on the potential, mentioning, “So, we can go in with our own business models and say — there’s millions of gamers we would never have been able to address, and now we can go in with our business models,” emphasizing the vast untapped gaming market such an approach could reach.
However, during the same presentation, Stuart’s proposition of bringing Xbox Game Pass to competing platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo was swiftly dismissed by CEO Phil Spencer.
In other recent developments, reports indicated Xbox’s plans to introduce a dedicated mobile storefront via an independent application to bypass security layers on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, potentially avoiding cuts on in-app purchases. While no release timeline has been disclosed, discussions with undisclosed partners are underway, possibly involving Candy Crush Saga developer King, following its acquisition by Microsoft in October.
December’s additions to the Game Pass roster include titles like Far Cry 6, the Remnant series, Rise of the Tomb Raider, among others, as part of Xbox’s holiday offerings. Meanwhile, Microsoft is collaborating with Inworld to advance AI game development, enabling future studios to transform prompts into fully-fledged dialogues and questlines, signaling the company’s commitment to innovation within the gaming sphere.
