Microsoft is bringing Xbox Cloud Gaming to its cheaper Core and Standard Game Pass tiers

Microsoft has enriched its Xbox Game Pass Subscription service by now offering Xbox Cloud Gaming to its more affordable Core and Standard tiers as a part of a beta test for Xbox Insiders.

According to Xbox Wire, the beta test which has started on August 27, 2025, will see users enrolled in the Xbox Insider Program who are members of Game Pass Core or Game Pass Standard will be able to access Xbox Cloud Gaming Beta, and stream games on supported devices such as browsers, mobile phones, and smart TVs.

This is a significant change from the current subscription setup, where Cloud Streaming has historically been exclusively available to subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which is priced at $19.99 per month.

Game Pass Core, on the other hand, costs $9.99 and allows gamers to play multiplayer games and browse a library of 25 select games. Game Pass Standard is $14.99 per month, with access to hundreds of console games, but doesn’t include day-one releases. 

Furthermore, Xbox Insiders on lower subscription tiers can now access PC versions of curated titles, allowing them to play on Windows PCs or handheld devices via the Xbox App.

To participate, interested users must join the Xbox Insider Program by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub on their console or PC, and enabling preview features on their account settings at xbox.com/play or via the Xbox TV app.

This expansion comes days after Microsoft teased its plans for a “more affordable” Xbox Cloud Gaming service, opening its game streaming doors to lower-tier members. Microsoft’s Vice President of Next Generation Experiences, Jason Ronald, earlier discussed the potential for new features, stating:

“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.”

While the current beta is only available to Insiders, Microsoft seems determined to make its Xbox ecosystem more accessible and affordable across the 28 countries where Xbox Cloud Gaming is available.