Microsoft Introduces Free Xbox Cloud Gaming Following 50% Game Pass Price Hike
Microsoft has overhauled Xbox Game Pass, split it into different tiers, and raised prices. In the U.S., Ultimate jumped 50% to $29.99/month; Premium is $14.99; Essential stays $9.99. These changes began October 1, 2025 for new members and are rolling to most existing members in early November.
To ease the hit, Microsoft packed in more value at the top tier: 75+ day-one releases/year, Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew perks, and higher-quality cloud streaming (up to 1440p) for Ultimate. All tiers now include cloud gaming, with Premium/Essential capped at 1080p.
Not everyone is paying more yet. In countries like Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Poland, and India, existing Ultimate subscribers on auto-renew will keep their current price for now and get 60 days’ notice before any change. This pause does not apply in the U.S. or U.K.
Microsoft is also testing a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming with short pre-roll ads, one-hour session limits, and a monthly cap (internal test now; public beta planned). It would let players stream select owned titles, Free Play Days picks, and Xbox Retro Classics without a subscription.
Player reaction is mixed: some are canceling over the higher annual cost, while others say Ultimate still saves money if you play many day-one releases.
What changed in Game Pass and is it worth it?
Microsoft renamed its plans to Essential (was Core), Premium (was Standard), and Ultimate and expanded the libraries, cloud features, and perks to help justify the higher price.
* Essential — $9.99/mo.
50+ curated games on console and PC, online multiplayer, in-game perks, and unlimited cloud gaming at 1080p. No day-one Xbox-published titles.
* Premium — $14.99/mo.
~200+ games across console, PC, and cloud, plus Xbox-published games within a year (Call of Duty excluded). Cloud gaming at 1080p. Added Rewards earn-backs.
* Ultimate — $29.99/mo. (up 50%)
75+ day-one releases/year, Ubisoft+ Classics, EA Play, Fortnite Crew (from Nov 18), bigger Rewards, and the best cloud experience: up to 1440p streaming with faster queues. Library spans console, PC, and cloud.
The new pricing began on October 1, 2025 for new members and starts hitting most existing members in early November. Microsoft says the increase reflects a bigger catalog, new partner benefits, and upgrades to cloud streaming.
What does that look like in practice? Ultimate is the showcase tier. It folds in 75+ day-one releases each year, Ubisoft+ Classics, EA Play, and Fortnite Crew starting November 18, plus a beefed-up Rewards program and cloud streaming up to 1440p with faster queues. Premium aims for flexibility at $14.99, with 200+ games across console, PC, and cloud, and Xbox-published titles arriving within a year of launch (Call of Duty excluded). Essential holds the entry point at $9.99, offering 50+ curated games on console and PC, online multiplayer, in-game benefits, and unlimited 1080p cloud play.
There’s also a regional differences. In Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Poland, and India, many existing Ultimate subscribers on auto-renew are keeping their current price for now. Microsoft says those customers will get at least 60 days’ notice before any change; this pause does not apply in the U.S. or U.K. In some countries, like Brazil, the price hike increased by 99%.
Value comes down to habits. If you chase day-one releases or already pay for Fortnite Crew, Ultimate can still pencil out. If you don’t need day-one access, Premium covers a lot for less. If you only dip into a few hits and play online, Essential gets you in the door with cloud included.
A free cloud carrot after an unpopular price hike
The price jump has not gone down well. Many players say $29.99 per month for Ultimate is a step too far, and some have canceled or stacked older deals to avoid paying more. Was the new free, ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming meant to calm things down? Maybe, maybe not. It is happening, so here is what it looks like.
How the free tier works (in testing): Microsoft is piloting an ad-supported option that lets you stream select games without a Game Pass subscription. Internal tests use about two minutes of preroll ads, one-hour session caps, and up to five free hours per month. It is planned for PC, Xbox consoles, handhelds, and the web, with a public beta before full launch. Eligible content should include some games you own, Free Play Days picks, and a slice of Xbox Retro Classics. These specifics could shift at launch, but that is the current shape.
Quality and tiers: Cloud officially left beta; Ultimate streams up to 1440p with higher bitrates and shorter queues, while Premium and Essential include unlimited 1080p cloud. The free tier is a sampler, so expect stricter limits and ads rather than premium quality.
Why it matters: A no-cost, try-before-you-pay funnel could bring lapsed and curious players back in, especially on low-spec PCs or mobile. For heavy users who care about day-one releases, Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft+ Classics, and higher-resolution streaming, the value decision still lives at Ultimate, now at a higher price.
Will the higher price stick or will players switch?
The short answer is that Microsoft will try to hold the line, while testing ways to keep people engaged. The price increase is already live for new members and will hit most existing members in early November. Some regions have a temporary pause for existing Ultimate subscribers on auto renew, which shows Microsoft can stagger changes when local rules require it.
Early sentiment points to churn risk. Reader polls and comments show many players canceling or downgrading after the jump to 29.99 dollars per month, although a vocal group still finds value when they play multiple day one titles and use the new perks.
Microsoft’s counter is a wider funnel. The free ad supported cloud tier creates a no cost path to sample games. If the beta draws casual players and lapsed subscribers back into the ecosystem, some will likely convert to Premium or Ultimate over time. Cloud quality also improved, with Ultimate streaming up to 1440p. That helps justify the top tier for people who care about convenience and fidelity.
What to watch next
* If cancellations outpace new sign ups, expect more partner perks, limited time discounts, or regional offers to shore up value.
* If the free cloud test gains traction, Microsoft may raise time caps, rotate stronger catalogs, or run sponsored play events to convert free users.
If you play several day one titles each year and want bundled perks, Ultimate can still make sense. If not, Premium covers a lot for less. If you only dabble, the free cloud tier may be enough once it opens to the public.
Acer purchase bonus: 3 months of PC Game Pass
If you buy a new eligible Acer or Predator Windows 11 PC, you can claim three months of PC Game Pass with EA Play included. This is not Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It is PC Game Pass, which means you will see much of the Game Pass catalog on Windows, but not every console title. Microsoft’s catalog varies by plan, platform, and region, so some Xbox-only games will not appear in the PC library.
Eligible models (examples)
* Predator Helios Neo 16
* Predator Helios 16 / Helios 18
* Predator Triton Neo 16
* Predator Orion X
* Acer Nitro V 16
* Acer Nitro 14 AMD
What you save
PC Game Pass now costs $16.49 per month in the U.S. Three months included with your Acer purchase is worth $49.47 before tax.
How to redeem
On your new PC, open the Xbox app, sign in with your Microsoft account, and follow the on-screen steps to activate the offer. After three months, the plan renews at the then-current rate unless you cancel. Game availability and EA Play benefits change over time and by region.
Final thoughts: is it still worth it?
The new Game Pass prices are high, especially for Ultimate. But Microsoft has added real value with more day-one games, better cloud performance, and new perks like Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew. If you play regularly and want the full experience, Ultimate can still be a solid deal.
For most people, Premium offers the best balance. It includes a wide game library, cloud access, and a lower monthly cost. If you only play occasionally, the Essential plan or upcoming free cloud tier might be enough.
You can also try it risk-free. Buy a new Acer or Predator PC and get three months of PC Game Pass at no cost and if you have a valid student email you can enjoy up to 15% off your next purchase from the Acer Store by signing up with Student Beans. With both options you can save more than 50 dollars and explore hundreds of PC games before deciding if a full subscription is right for you.
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After 19 Years Windows 11 Finally Adds Support for Video Wallpapers
Video wallpapers let users set a video as their screen background, and this fun feature is finally returning to Windows 11 devices after almost two decades. Video wallpapers are an entertaining and animated twist on standard block color or photo backgrounds, adding an extra hint of customization, and another way to personalize your PC. Keep reading to learn how to set a video wallpaper on Windows 11 and when you can expect to try it out for yourself.
When are video wallpapers coming to Windows?
Now obsolete, Windows Vista supported video wallpapers via an application named DreamScene, but this was not implemented in future Windows versions. As such, users have been waiting for the day when they could finally customize their desktop with a video wallpaper for years. An X user first reported the new feature after spotting it in the newest Windows 11 Dev and Beta preview builds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtkWjg1rjvk
It supports MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, M4V, and MKV files and will only work on desktops. It will not include videos for the lockscreen, however it is still a fun and creative way to customize a PC. Although there is no official announcement from Windows detailing when this much-anticipated feature will be available, users on the preview build can enable feature ID 57645315 and restart explorer.exe to access video wallpapers.
How to enable video wallpapers on Windows 11
If you want to set your video to wallpaper on Windows 11, follow these instructions:
* Open Settings
* Navigate to Personalization
* Click Background
* Select Browse photos
* Choose your desired video
If you wish to try out video wallpapers before the announce date, follow these instructions to enable it manually on Windows 11 builds 26220.6690 (Dev Channel) and 26120.6690 (Beta Channel) for version 25H2 and 24H2:
* Open this Github website
* Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to activate the new Start menu design
* Open the file with File Explorer
* Click Extract all and Extract
* Copy the path to the folder
* Open Start
* Search for the Command Prompt, open the top result and choose Run as administrator
* Insert this command to navigate to the ViveTool folder: cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.x.x (be sure to change the path to the folder that includes your path) and press Enter
* Insert the following command to enable video wallpaper: vivetool /enable /id:57645315 and press Enter
* Restart the computer
Videos will play on loop and interactive videos are not supported. Moreover, please note that there is currently no setting to set up a video wallpaper on Windows 11, as this feature has not yet been officially implemented.
Why should you try out video wallpapers?
Although video wallpapers are not a must-have, they offer a quirky and unique way to personalize a Windows 11 PC. Using a funny GIF or your favorite clip of a family holiday, sports team, or beloved pet as a background can help boost your mood and bring a smile to your face. Moreover, video wallpapers can also create a specific ambiance, like a sense of calm during a hectic work day.
What are some alternative video wallpaper apps you can try?
The Windows 11 video wallpaper feature may be a little while off yet, however there are some alternatives you can try in the meantime. Lively Wallpaper is a free and open-source software that lets users set animated wallpapers. Users can use GIFs, videos, and webpages as their desktop background and screensaver, and the app won the Microsoft Store App Awards in 2023. Wallpaper Engine also has hundreds of thousands of wallpapers to choose from, and even allows users to create a wallpaper playlist to showcase throughout the day.
The lowdown: are Windows 11 video wallpapers really worth the wait?
Video wallpapers provide a fun way to personalize your PC. Although they are a nice-to-have not a must-have, they make a creative and interactive change from a static wallpaper. Many Windows 11 users have been waiting for a video wallpaper feature for almost twenty years since DreamScene was made obsolete. For them, the news that a Windows 11 video wallpaper feature will be available soon is an exciting prospect. Keep an eye on the latest Windows updates to find out when the new video wallpaper feature lands.
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What Is Sideloading and Why Does Google Want to Restrict It on Android?
For years, one of Android’s biggest selling points has been freedom. Unlike Apple’s iOS, which keeps users locked inside the App Store, Android allows people to “sideload” apps—installing them from outside Google Play. That flexibility helped Android build a reputation as the more open mobile ecosystem. But now, Google is moving to tighten the rules, requiring developers to verify their identity before their apps can be sideloaded. The company says this will improve security, but critics argue it could signal the slow erosion of Android’s openness.
Before looking at why Google is changing course, it’s worth asking a simple question: what exactly is sideloading?
What is sideloading?
Sideloading is the practice of installing apps or transferring files onto a device without going through its official app store. On Android, this usually means downloading an APK file (the package format for Android apps) from a website or alternative store and manually installing it. On iOS, the equivalent is installing an IPA file, typically through developer tools like Xcode or third-party workarounds.
Originally, sideloading simply referred to moving music, videos, or e-books from a computer onto a phone via USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or memory card. Over time, it became most closely associated with apps as a way to get software that was not available on Google Play or the Apple App Store.
For Android users, sideloading required a small but intentional step: enabling the “install from unknown sources” option in system settings. This gave people more control, but it also meant taking on responsibility since malicious apps are more common outside official channels.
Why people sideload
* Access to apps not available in their country
* Trying beta versions or indie apps not listed on Google Play
* Using modified apps such as ad-free YouTube clients
* Preserving apps that have been removed from stores
The risks
Sideloading opens the door to malware, spyware, or poorly coded apps that can compromise device security. Carriers and manufacturers have sometimes limited it for this reason. Still, for many Android fans the ability to sideload has been a defining feature that separates it from Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem.
Why Google wants to restrict sideloading
Google argues that sideloading has always been a double-edged sword. It gives users freedom, but it also creates opportunities for bad actors to spread malware. Security researchers have long noted that apps downloaded from outside the Play Store are far more likely to contain harmful code.
To address this, Google announced that starting in 2027 developers will be required to verify their identity even if they never publish on the Play Store. The company says this is similar to an ID check at an airport. It confirms who the developer is but does not screen the contents of their app. In practice, this means that APK files from unverified developers will no longer install on certified Android devices.
The rollout will begin gradually. Early access to the verification system opens in October 2025, it expands to all developers in March 2026, and the first countries where it will be enforced are Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026. The global requirement follows in 2027.
For Google, this change is about making Android safer without fully closing the platform. The company insists it will not review the code or decide what content developers can distribute. Critics, however, worry that this is the first step toward a more controlled ecosystem.
How this affects users and developers
For most people who only download apps from the Google Play Store, nothing will change. The new rules only apply to apps that are sideloaded or installed from third-party sources.
For everyday users:
* If you stick to the Play Store, your experience will remain the same.
* If you occasionally sideload apps, you will need to make sure those apps come from a developer who has gone through Google’s identity verification process. Unverified apps will simply not install on certified Android devices once the rules are enforced.
For developers:
* Independent developers who distribute apps through websites, GitHub, or alternative stores will have to register with Google and verify their identity. This involves confirming personal or business details, similar to how publishing on Play Store already works.
* Developers who fail to complete verification will see their apps blocked from installation, even outside the Play Store.
* The process does not involve content review, so developers will still have freedom over what kind of app they build and distribute.
In practice, this creates a middle ground. Google is not banning sideloading outright, but it is raising the barrier to entry by requiring every developer to be traceable.
The debate: security vs freedom
Google frames the new rules as a security upgrade. The company argues that sideloading has been a major source of malware on Android devices, and requiring developer identity checks will make it harder for malicious actors to operate anonymously. In theory, this could reduce the number of harmful apps circulating outside the Play Store.
But for many Android fans, the move feels like a step toward locking down the platform. Sideloading has always represented freedom of choice, whether that means installing region-restricted apps, experimenting with indie projects, or using tools that Google itself might not approve of. Critics worry that an identity verification system could eventually evolve into a gatekeeping tool, with Google quietly blocking certain categories of apps. The most common fear is that ad-blocking software for YouTube will become impossible to install, since Google has a strong financial incentive to limit access to those tools.
The concern is not just theoretical. Apple already uses a similar system in the European Union, where developers must be verified to distribute apps outside the App Store. Even with that framework, Apple has still blocked apps it found undesirable, including a popular **** client. Skeptics argue that Google may eventually follow the same path, beginning with ad blockers and expanding to other categories of apps that threaten its ecosystem.
At its heart, the debate comes down to trust. Supporters of the policy see it as a sensible way to improve safety without eliminating sideloading entirely. Opponents see it as the beginning of a slow shift toward the kind of walled garden that Android was originally meant to avoid.
Conclusion: the future of sideloading on Android
Sideloading has always been one of the defining features of Android. It allowed users to install apps outside the Play Store, giving them flexibility that iOS does not. Google’s new verification rules do not remove sideloading, but they do reshape it into something more structured.
For everyday users, the impact will be minimal. Those who install only from the Play Store will see no change. For developers and enthusiasts who rely on third-party stores, GitHub releases, or APK files, the key difference will be that apps must come from verified developers to install on certified Android devices.
This also raises questions for custom ROMs and privacy-focused operating systems like GrapheneOS. These projects often depend on the freedom to sideload apps and services outside of Google’s ecosystem. While the new framework is aimed at improving security, it could introduce additional hurdles for these communities, depending on how strictly identity verification is enforced.
In short, sideloading is not going away, but it is evolving. Google is trying to strike a balance between openness and safety, and by 2027 we will see how that balance reshapes the Android ecosystem.
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