Key Takeaways
1. Xbox Cloud Gaming has been added to Game Pass Core and Standard tiers for Xbox Insiders in a beta test starting August 27, 2025.
2. Game Pass Core costs $9.99/month and includes multiplayer access and 25 games, while Game Pass Standard is $14.99/month with hundreds of console titles but no day-one releases.
3. Lower-tier Game Pass members can now stream PC versions of selected games on Windows PCs and handheld devices via the Xbox App.
4. To join the beta test, users must enroll in the Xbox Insider Program and activate preview features through their account settings.
5. Microsoft aims to create a more budget-friendly Xbox Cloud Gaming service, making it more accessible to a wider audience across 28 countries.
Microsoft has enhanced its Xbox Game Pass Subscription service by including Xbox Cloud Gaming to its more budget-friendly Core and Standard tiers as part of a beta test for Xbox Insiders.
Beta Test Details
As reported by Xbox Wire, the beta test began on August 27, 2025. Users who are part of the Xbox Insider Program and hold memberships for Game Pass Core or Game Pass Standard can now utilize the Xbox Cloud Gaming Beta. This allows them to stream games on various devices like browsers, mobile phones, and smart TVs.
This marks a notable shift from the existing subscription model, where Cloud Streaming has generally been limited to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, which costs $19.99 each month.
Pricing and Features
Game Pass Core is available for $9.99, enabling players to engage in multiplayer games and access a selection of 25 games. In contrast, Game Pass Standard is priced at $14.99 monthly and grants entry to hundreds of console titles, but excludes day-one game releases.
Moreover, Xbox Insiders subscribing to lower tiers can now play PC versions of selected games, which means they can enjoy gaming on Windows PCs or handheld devices through the Xbox App.
How to Join
To take part in this, users interested must enroll in the Xbox Insider Program by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub on their console or PC and activating preview features through their account settings at xbox.com/play or the Xbox TV app.
This expansion comes shortly after Microsoft hinted at its vision for a “more budget-friendly” Xbox Cloud Gaming service, aiming to welcome lower-tier members into the game streaming fold. Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s Vice President of Next Generation Experiences, previously mentioned the possibilities for new features, asserting:
“One of the things we see is that there are lots of players who use Game Pass Ultimate to access the cloud, whether that’s the primary way they play or an additional way to play on the go. I think for us, it really opens up the opportunity to make it much more accessible to players. Whether that’s through a dedicated cloud tier or something else, we’re still working on those details.”
Though the current beta is restricted to Insiders, Microsoft appears committed to making its Xbox ecosystem more reachable and economical across the 28 countries where Xbox Cloud Gaming is on offer.
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