Microsoft has recently patented a system that allows for the display of advertisements and announcements during PC and Xbox game sessions without disrupting gameplay.
The patent, titled ‘Contextually Aware Management of Interactive Software Application Access,’ was filed earlier this month and aims to identify natural pauses in gameplay, such as loading screens or the end of missions, to display ads without affecting player progress.
Players who view these ads will receive a “credit” that grants them a period of ad-free play, ranging from 15 minutes to an hour or more.
The patent also mentions that uninterrupted playtime may be determined by in-game progression or events, such as completing levels or multiplayer matches.
In related news, Xbox has been testing ad-supported game streaming on its cloud platform, offering free one-hour game sessions supported by ads for Xbox Insider Program participants.
Additionally, Xbox recently announced monthly cloud gaming limits for Game Pass subscribers, with different tiers offering varying hours of playtime per month. Subscribers can purchase additional playtime once these limits are reached.
Xbox explained that the decision to implement these limits was due to the increasing cost of providing cloud gaming services as more users engage with the platform.
Furthermore, Xbox made organizational changes, including layoffs at Halo Studios and other first-party developers, with studios like Rare and World’s Edge being transferred to Activision.
Obsidian has moved under Bethesda, while Playground Games and Turn 10 have merged into a single studio as part of the restructuring efforts.