Microsoft Patent Describes Freezing Games to Show Players Ads

Microsoft patented a technology called "Contextually Aware Management of Interactive Software Application Access": a game is frozen at a safe moment, an ad is shown to the player, and viewing it grants a time credit of 30 minutes or one level. The patent targets free-to-play and subscription services such as Game Pass.

• Game is frozen at a "safe" moment so the player misses no events
• Watching an ad grants a credit: 30 minutes of play or one level
• Technology may apply to free-to-play and Xbox Game Pass