[#Microsoft](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/microsoft>) [#Xbox](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/xbox>) [#GamingNews](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/gamingnews>) #AdTech #GameDev



# Microsoft Patents New In-Game Advertising System

September 20, 2026 at 01:16 PM

> Microsoft's new patent uses machine learning to display ads during natural gameplay downtimes in exchange for ad-free playtime credits.

**Microsoft** has filed a patent for a new content management system designed to serve advertisements within games. Reported by Respawn First, the technology uses machine learning to identify optimal trigger events for promoted content during natural downtimes.

The system grants players ad-free playtime based on progress or duration. Once this credit expires, the software enters a frozen state to display ads during loading screens or menus. Watching these advertisements then resets the user's ad-free playtime credit.

This patent follows Microsoft's experiments with ad-supported tiers for Xbox Cloud Gaming. By integrating with game engines to delay interaction suspension, the system aims to monetize gameplay while managing how and when promotional content is delivered.



## Related news

[#PlayStation6](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/playstation6>) [#Sony](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/sony>) [#GamingNews](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/gamingnews>) [#PS5](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/ps5>) #ConsoleGaming

November 5, 2026 at 11:39 AM

## [Sony Confirms PlayStation 6 Development on Track](<https://hardwarebrief.com/article/sony-confirms-playstation-6-development-on-track-b3bd6dc8>)

> Sony CFO Lin Tao announces increased investment for the next-generation console as PlayStation 5 sales reach 97.9 million units.

#Nintendo #Macronix [#Switch2](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/switch2>) [#GamingNews](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/gamingnews>) #PhysicalMedia

November 4, 2026 at 04:51 PM

## [Macronix Scales Back ROM Production for Nintendo](<https://hardwarebrief.com/article/macronix-scales-back-rom-production-for-nintendo-05ac56e4>)

> Macronix CEO Miin Wu confirms a reduction in ROM output, potentially shifting Nintendo's Switch 2 toward digital and Game-Key Card models.

[#Windows11](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/windows11>) [#Microsoft](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/microsoft>) #TechUpdate #SoftwarePerformance #Windows26H2

November 4, 2026 at 02:44 PM

## [Microsoft Releases Windows 11 Version 26H2 Update](<https://hardwarebrief.com/article/microsoft-releases-windows-11-version-26h2-update-1bd4812e>)

> Microsoft EVP Pavan Davuluri announces Windows 11 build 26300.9818, delivering significant speed gains and optimized memory management.

[#Xbox](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/xbox>) #SeriesXBite [#GamingNews](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/gamingnews>) #XboxGiveaway #CustomConsole

November 4, 2026 at 10:51 AM

## [Xbox Unveils Five-Foot Alligator Series X Console](<https://hardwarebrief.com/article/xbox-unveils-five-foot-alligator-series-x-console-5c24bf8d>)

> Xbox partners with John Nolan Studio to create a massive, alligator-shaped custom console for an exclusive United States sweepstakes.

#WindowsAI [#Microsoft](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/microsoft>) #CopilotPlus #AIPC [#TechNews](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/technews>)

November 3, 2026 at 05:53 PM

## [Microsoft Unveils Four-Tier Windows AI PC Roadmap](<https://hardwarebrief.com/article/microsoft-unveils-four-tier-windows-ai-pc-roadmap-9fcab792>)

> Microsoft details new hardware tiers for AI PCs, ranging from 8GB entry-level devices to 512GB workstations for frontier model development.

#Zelda [#NintendoSwitch2](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/nintendoswitch2>) #OcarinaOfTime [#GamingNews](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/gamingnews>) [#AMD](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/amd>)

November 2, 2026 at 05:19 PM

## [Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Uses AMD FSR 1.0](<https://hardwarebrief.com/article/zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake-uses-amd-fsr-1-0-d3f5c1a8>)

> Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 remake of the 1998 classic will utilize AMD's spatial upscaling instead of DLSS for its November 5 release.

[#NintendoSwitch2](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/nintendoswitch2>) #Eglantine [#Emulation](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/emulation>) #MarioKartWorld [#GamingNews](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/gamingnews>)

November 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM

## [Nintendo Switch 2 Hacked as New Emulator Debuts](<https://hardwarebrief.com/article/nintendo-switch-2-hacked-as-new-emulator-debuts-05fec83a>)

> Modders have jailbroken the Nintendo Switch 2, leading to the release of Eglantine, a new emulator capable of running Mario Kart World.

[#DirectX12](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/directx12>) [#Microsoft](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/microsoft>) [#GamingTech](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/gamingtech>) [#AMD](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/amd>) #SoftwareDevelopment

October 29, 2026 at 03:26 PM

## [Microsoft Unveils DirectX 12 Agility SDK Updates](<https://hardwarebrief.com/article/microsoft-unveils-directx-12-agility-sdk-updates-6c8a0f42>)

> New DirectX 12 Agility SDK releases introduce Clustered Geometry and PTLAS, delivering massive performance gains for modern GPU hardware.

[#SurfaceLaptopUltra](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/surfacelaptopultra>) [#Microsoft](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/microsoft>) #FirmwareUpdate #WindowsUpdate [#TechNews](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/technews>)

October 27, 2026 at 07:07 PM

## [Microsoft Updates Surface Laptop Ultra Firmware](<https://hardwarebrief.com/article/microsoft-updates-surface-laptop-ultra-firmware-e18cd539>)

> Microsoft releases the first firmware update for the Surface Laptop Ultra to fix screen flickering and improve system stability.

#8BitDo [#Xbox](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/xbox>) [#GamingGear](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/gaminggear>) #Ultimate3E [#TechNews](<https://hardwarebrief.com/hashtag/technews>)

October 25, 2026 at 05:02 PM

## [8BitDo Launches Ultimate 3E Controller for Xbox](<https://hardwarebrief.com/article/8bitdo-launches-ultimate-3e-controller-for-xbox-835724a6>)

> The new officially licensed 8BitDo Ultimate 3E controller features modular components and TMR technology for Xbox, PC, and mobile gaming.