Xbox announced they're testing a free tier to game streaming with ads...

[Kovlak]

that adds value to the consumer?!

Starting today, Xbox is rolling out a feature called “ad-supported game streaming”.

Citing affordability, this “new feature” for Xbox Insiders first will allow players to “stream games they own for free with ads.” So, instead of playing the game natively, you can stream it on any number of devices, but only if you watch an ad first.

This is where Xbox is pivoting:

“Cloud can also help XBOX One owners play newer games built for XBOX Series X|S without needing to purchase new hardware right away. That can be especially meaningful in places where consoles are harder to find or less affordable, giving more players another way to access great games on devices they already have.”

MSN

 

[BejitabroFZ]

This post has finally become real after 13 years

 

[Zerpina]

Joking aside.... do they really think this is going to attract a new user base?
Most people already abhor ads, which is why ad blockers exist. And if it's for games you already own, why would you want to watch an ad just to play a game you already have?

No Fuckin' thanks.

This seems like Microsoft hoping to pull a YouTube... giving people free access to the platform, hoping they get annoyed by the ads, and then subscribing. That's all it boils down to.

Right now, they are running two things... Jack and shit.
And Jack left town.

 

[Kovlak]

View attachment 214663
Joking aside.... do they really think this is going to attract a new user base?
Most people already abhor ads, which is why ad blockers exist. And if it's for games you already own, why would you want to watch an ad just to play a game you already have?

No Fuckin' thanks.

This seems like Microsoft hoping to pull a YouTube... giving people free access to the platform, hoping they get annoyed by the ads, and then subscribing. That's all it boils down to.

Right now, they are running two things... Jack and shit.
And Jack left town.

They are trying to have players buy games on Xbox for hardware they don't own and watch ads to stream them. That will definitely catch some people.

 

[JiruleanSkies]

Does the definition of "stream" here mean you can actually PLAY the game? I mean, I don't know why you''d want to do it like this but I mean...

 

[Kovlak]

Does the definition of "stream" here mean you can actually PLAY the game? I mean, I don't know why you''d want to do it like this but I mean...

Yes, play them. It beats paying Nvidia to stream your games.

 

[Zerpina]

They are trying to have players buy games on Xbox for hardware they don't own and watch ads to stream them. That will definitely catch some people.

Oh no, I understood the premise of it and knew what they were doing... trying to pull a Google Stadia and OnLive. This will also fail. The aforementioned two failed mostly because of internet connection issues.

If Google couldn't make this work, despite having Scrooge McDuck's level of money, Microsoft has about... well...

 

[newshoes]

This is actually pretty sweet

 

[iamthemilkman]

Now they should all stop charging people to play online. With $1K+ consoles on the horizon, why would you choose one of those over PC when it's an open platform with free online?

 

[Gabrinius]

It can be interesting, depends on how much ads you need.

Being able to play your games during lunch pause at work using your phone (and a controller)? I won't use it, but it is very interesting.

 

[Tonberry]

“Cloud can also help XBOX One owners play newer games built for XBOX Series X|S without needing to purchase new hardware right away. That can be especially meaningful in places where consoles are harder to find or less affordable, giving more players another way to access great games on devices they already have.”

I mean I understand this reasoning, and it's a noble enough concept, but I find it hard to believe that Microsoft of all people do this out of respect for the customers and their wallets (and I'm saying that as someone who plays on Xbox this gen).

My first thought was that they're likely testing the waters on Xbone to see how intrusive an experience people can put up with before they decide/feel forced to upgrade

 

[BrawlMan]

Capcom tried that shit with Street Fighter V and immediately backpedaled on it after a week.

Xbox keeps getting the worst deals. Even the most hardcore and blind fan will wake up and finally smell the bullshit.

 

[Kovlak]

My first thought was that they're likely testing the waters on Xbone to see how intrusive an experience people can put up with before they decide/feel forced to upgrade

They're sweetening the deal. They'll probably start adding the amount of ads if people adhere to this, just like YouTube. And crank up other stuff. Like in every other online service.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

Fine.

I'll give it a week before someone figures out an Ad blocker for it.

 

[Amphineura]

Wasn't this being publically discussed already? Xbox were going to allow a few hours in as a free trial?

Found it: https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-code-hints-at-game-pass-triton-and-duet-tier

Now, in a new update tied to TRITON and Duet, redphx has uncovered references suggesting users could be limited by a monthly time allowance for Xbox Cloud Gaming. Limiting playtime isn’t unheard of in the cloud gaming space. NVIDIA’s GeForce Now, for example, caps users at around 100 hours of playtime on its highest tier, which costs $19.99.

That said, Xbox currently has no tier with any limits on cloud playtime, so this would be quite a shift in strategy. It does also align with Asha Sharma’s recent comments suggesting she wants to make Game Pass more affordable, after stating the service may be too expensive.

I wonder if it's going to be both ad-ridden and time-limited.

Fine.

I'll give it a week before someone figures out an Ad blocker for it.

I doubt it. The ads will likely be embedded in stream and be unskippable.

Most people already abhor ads, which is why ad blockers exist. And if it's for games you already own, why would you want to watch an ad just to play a game you already have?

People don't care that much. Those who do are loud about it and are common in enthusiast spaces, but if you visit r/youtube on reddit you'd see a deluge of users complaining about ads. And that's among the people invested enough to comment on a youtube forum and willing to complain. People don't adblock like they used to.

 

[lalalal]

>The surge of AI databases has increased the price on PC components (Yes! we know AI sucks but that's not the main point of this post. SHUT UP!)
>Nintendo keeps selling hardware with performance 2 generations behind. A mario machine to play mario games.
>Sony will stop selling physical games, killing the second-hand market on newer consoles and can set the prices of their games higher since it's turning into a closed market.
>Microsoft:


I don't care how unlikely it might be but the videogame industry needs a second crash, hard.

 

[Amphineura]

I don't care how unlikely it might be but the videogame industry needs a second crash, hard.

What if GTA 6 actually pulls off an E.T. 2600?

 

[lalalal]

What if GTA 6 actually pulls off an E.T. 2600?

We can only dream but GTA6 will not be any more different from 5. The most anticipated game in the decade turns out to be a complete MEH.

 

[Amphineura]

We can only dream but GTA6 will not be any more different from 5. The most anticipated game in the decade turns out to be a complete MEH.

You have to dream bigger! Cyberpunk was supposed to be a smash hit but its launch went viral for all the wrong reasons. I remember bugs and crashes were a huge issue and reviewers were glazing over them while storefronts were dealing with refunds. What if GTA 6 was delayed so much that they were trying to finish the game, and they are settling on releasing it in a completely unfinished state?

 

[Don Patch]

View attachment 214663
Joking aside.... do they really think this is going to attract a new user base?
Most people already abhor ads, which is why ad blockers exist. And if it's for games you already own, why would you want to watch an ad just to play a game you already have?

No Fuckin' thanks.

This seems like Microsoft hoping to pull a YouTube... giving people free access to the platform, hoping they get annoyed by the ads, and then subscribing. That's all it boils down to.

Right now, they are running two things... Jack and shit.
And Jack left town.

They have one advantage here with this.... they own the lion's share of Western game properties....
I don't want this to succeed... I think it's crap... but if they, say, start to de-list their properties from other places and funnel peeps into it, I can see this maybe taking off.
Of course, that was my worry with shiz like game pass.... but peeps dropped that pretty quick.. but only AFTER it got expensive... so... hmmm.... I worry...

It's one step closer to "streaming only" which is what XB has wanted or about a decade at this point.
Me no like.

 

[bombatomba77]

 

[Vardalis]

They're sweetening the deal. They'll probably start adding the amount of ads if people adhere to this, just like YouTube. And crank up other stuff. Like in every other online service.

Ah yes, the whole enshitification shtick. As if people weren't absolutely sick of that routine already.