Microsoft Patents In-Game Ad Tech Amid Rumors of Cheaper Game Pass Tier

A patent application from Microsoft's Technology Licensing division has surfaced, detailing technology that can determine context when a user is interacting with an 'interactive software application' and decide when to display 'promoted audiovisual content.'

The application, titled 'Contextually Aware Management of Interactive Software Application Access,' was published on September 3, 2026. It describes a system that can suspend access to the software, play promoted content, then let the user jump back in.

According to the patent, watching the promoted content could grant additional playtime or 'credits.' For example, it mentions granting 30 minutes of game access.

This comes amid rumors of a potential ad-supported Game Pass tier from Microsoft. A gaming forum moderator claims that the service may be consolidated into two main options: a $12.99 tier supported by ads and a $19.99 option without it.