Microsoft Patent Reveals Ad-Ready Future for Xbox Games

Microsoft has filed a patent for a system that allows PC and Xbox games to serve advertisements during game sessions without disrupting gameplay.

The patented technology, which relies on an 'ad credit' system, recognizes 'trigger events' in a game and shows an advert during downtime, similar to free-to-play mobile games. These trigger events include loading screens, end-of-round screens, and the moment when a mission or quest is finished.

The ad credit system assigns players chunks of ad-free time, and when each block of time expires, the game shows promoted content. This technology has sparked speculation about Microsoft's plans for its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, with some predicting that an ad-supported tier may be introduced.