Microsoft’s “Project xCloud” streaming service, which pairs with its Xbox Game Pass, won’t be available for the iPhone or iPad when it launches next September, and Apple’s App Store restrictions are said to be part of the issue.
Xbox Game Pass and its accompanying xCloud streaming feature offer access to hundreds of games that can be streamed to mobile devices, and Apple says that because it can’t review each game available through Game Pass, it can’t be allowed on the App Store.
An Apple spokesperson offered the following comments regarding the situation:
“The App Store was created to be a safe and trusted place for customers to discover and download apps, and a great business opportunity for all developers. Before they go on our store, all apps are reviewed against the same set of guidelines that are intended to protect customers and provide a fair and level playing field to developers.”
“Our customers enjoy great apps and games from millions of developers, and gaming services can absolutely launch on the App Store as long as they follow the same set of guidelines applicable to all developers, including submitting games individually for review, and appearing in charts and search. In addition to the App Store, developers can choose to reach all iPhone and iPad users over the web through Safari and other browsers on the App Store.”
Project xCloud allows users to download games to a Windows PC or Xbox, and offers streaming access to more than 100 games for $15 per month, with games that can be played on smartphones or tablets.
In a statement, a Microsoft spokesperson said that the company wants to make Game Pass available on all devices, but there’s no info on iOS at this time.
“It’s our ambition to scale cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass available on all devices, but we have nothing further to share at this time regarding iOS.”
Microsoft stated that there would be differences in its gaming platforms on iOS, and said that the TestFlight version of the xCloud app would “look and feel different” on iOS given Apple’s limitations. iPhone and iPad users testing the feature could only stream games from the cloud and not from an Xbox console, eliminating the pick up and play on any device option.
During its TestFlight phase, only “Halo: The Master Chief Collection” was available given that Apple’s App Store rules require games in a game subscription to be owned or licensed by the developer.
Google offers a similar streaming gaming service known as Google Stadia, which Apple has yet to allow on the App Store. Stadia can be accessed on Android devices, but not Apple’s iOS or iPadOS derives. The same goes for Nvidia’s streaming gaming service, GeForce Now.
Gaming giant Valve also ran into trouble when it was working to make Steam Link available on iPhones and iPads, Apple rejected the app after it was submitted for review. Valve would eventually work around this restriction by removing the ability to purchase apps within the Steam Link store.
Steam Link allows users to play their Steam games on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, as well as streaming to a Mac or PC.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via MacRumors and Business Insider