Microsoft has begun testing a free version of Xbox Cloud Gaming with ads for users who purchased a game without a Game Pass subscription. Any device supporting the service is sufficient to launch it — an Xbox console is not required.
Former IGN journalist Destin has already tried the new feature. According to him, the input lag was minimal, and the image quality was quite acceptable, provided you don't sit too close to a large TV.
Before each hour-long gaming session, users are shown a two-minute ad block. After 60 minutes, the session is forcibly terminated, although saves remain. Then you have to wait again to connect to the service and watch ads again.
Destin believes that Microsoft should abandon session breaks and simply insert a new ad block every hour without exiting the game.
The feature is currently in the testing phase, so the operating conditions may still change.
This is the future of gaming. (...), perhaps I'll surprise you now, but I must say, it works great. It felt like I was just playing on my PC. I'm impressed.