Microsoft Wants To Show You Ads In Between Boss Fights
Microsoft is exploring a new monetization model for Xbox that would allow users to access games through an ad-supported rental system. According to a patent filing titled “contextually aware management of interactive software application access,” the company is investigating a method to pause games at the operating system level and display advertisements to users. After viewing these ads, players would receive in-game credits or access to continue playing.
This represents an expansion of Microsoft’s existing ad strategy, which currently includes advertisements displayed when users log into Xbox Series X consoles. The patent describes “audiovisual promoted content” being injected during gameplay, suggesting ads could appear between significant gameplay moments, such as before or after boss fights.
The ad-supported rental model would give players a free or reduced-cost way to access games on Xbox consoles without paying full price, with advertisements serving as the revenue model. This approach aligns with gaming industry trends toward broader monetization strategies beyond traditional game sales.
The filing indicates Microsoft is considering how to implement advertisements in a way that minimizes disruption to gameplay while still generating ad revenue. Whether this patent translates into an actual feature remains unclear, as many patent filings never become implemented products or services.