Xbox Cloud Gaming Gets a New—and Limited—Route
For Xbox players curious about cloud gaming but unwilling to commit to a full Game Pass plan, a new Insider test offers a different way in. Select Xbox Insiders can buy streaming time in blocks, with options starting at $3.99 for 10 hours and reaching $11.99 for 50 hours. The trial opens a door that was previously reserved for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, giving occasional players a more tailored option. More context on the service is available through Xbox Cloud Gaming and IGN’s Xbox coverage.
The Catch Is in the Clock
This is not quite an all-access alternative to Game Pass Ultimate. The new offer sells a set amount of cloud-streaming hours, so the value depends on how often a player uses the service and how quickly those hours disappear. There is, however, a useful bit of flexibility: purchased hours do not expire and can roll over from day to day, making the option less like a ticking subscription and more like a prepaid allowance. Xbox has not described this Insider test as a permanent replacement for Ultimate, so players can keep an eye on Xbox Wire and The Verge’s gaming coverage for further details.
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Dispatch Turns Its First Anniversary Into a Bonus Round
Elsewhere, Dispatch is marking its first anniversary with additions aimed at fans who want to linger over how the game was made. Its deluxe edition is set to receive a commentary track and a storyboard mode, while a live music concert in Hollywood and a fresh wave of merchandise—including a three-record vinyl set, shirts, and hoodies—extend the celebration beyond the screen. The anniversary plans offer a welcome spotlight on the craft and community around the game; updates can be followed through IGN’s game coverage and Billboard, which regularly tracks live music and releases.
Back to Berk for a Theme Park Flight
The entertainment tour also heads to the Isle of Berk, where Universal Orlando Resort’s How to Train Your Dragon attraction Hiccup’s Wing Gliders puts guests on a themed flight through the franchise’s world. The segment brings a different kind of play to the mix: rather than a controller or cloud connection, the draw is a physical theme-park ride built around soaring adventure. More about the destination and its newest park, Universal Epic Universe, is available from Universal Orlando Resort and the official Universal Orlando site.
