Xbox has officially implemented a one-hour session limit for free users playing Fortnite on Xbox Cloud Gaming. This follows recent rumors that we previously covered, and now the change is live for all players accessing the game without an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Xbox Cloud Gaming currently only offers one game for free users, making this a bold move, especially when compared to competing services like GeForce NOW, which provides a full free tier with a broader selection of titles. While Microsoft has not placed restrictions on the number of times players can reconnect, they will now be required to restart their session every hour. This change could impact casual players who rely on Xbox Cloud Gaming as an alternative to traditional console or PC gaming.

The decision raises questions about Microsoft’s long-term strategy for its cloud gaming platform. With Xbox focusing heavily on Game Pass Ultimate as the primary way to access cloud gaming, limiting Fortnite sessions for free users may indicate a push toward premium subscriptions. However, it could also be a move to manage server loads.
Will this affect how you use Xbox Cloud Gaming?