Xbox Cloud Gaming Arrives on TCL TVs as Microsoft Limits Monthly Play Hours
Microsoft announced that its Xbox Cloud Gaming app will be available on TCL smart TVs, while also reducing the monthly usage caps for all Xbox Game Pass tiers starting in November.
Microsoft's gaming division said the Xbox Cloud Gaming app will be rolled out to TCL smart televisions in the coming months, expanding the service that is already available on Samsung and LG TVs. The move aims to let owners of TCL TVs play Xbox titles via the cloud, provided they have an Xbox Game Pass subscription.
Starting in November, the company will impose monthly usage limits on cloud gaming for all Game Pass tiers. The caps will be 15 hours for Game Pass Ultimate, 10 hours for Game Pass Premium, and 5 hours for Game Pass Essential. Microsoft indicated that the limits will affect a small portion of its user base.
"We need to manage compute costs and ensure the service remains sustainable," said a Microsoft spokesperson, referencing the high demand for AI-driven processing.
Analysts note that the limits are lower than those offered by competing services such as NVIDIA's GeForce NOW, which recently added support for advanced DLSS features. The change follows comments from Xbox's division head about refocusing on profitability after a period of lower margins.
Industry observers suggest that while many gamers currently prefer local hardware, cloud gaming could grow as hardware prices rise, a trend highlighted by comments from other gaming executives.