Cloud gaming was once billed as cheaper than buying titles. But new pricing from Microsoft’s Xbox is eroding that argument, gamers say

Two young men play Xbox in front of a green background. (Credit: Emanuele Cremaschi—Getty Images)

Video gamers may begin to more frequently experience the feeling of frantically shoving quarters into an arcade machine to extend playtime.

Microsoft-owned Xbox has launched a pay-as-you-go feature that has angered some users and is part of a larger trend of video game fans paying more for titles they do not own.