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Microsoft xCloud Game Streaming Service Launching on Safari in a 'Few Weeks'
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It's browser based on Windows too - they probably found out that it was the better solution.
Apple not allowing Microsoft (and Google, Amazon Luna, etc.) to sell subscriptions on iOS for Xbox Live etc. via IAP is revenue left on the table for Apple. This is their mistake.
Apple's inflexibility around the "no game streaming" has created several major platforms that are going to bleed IAP revenue from App Store games. This is especially true when their argument was "We can't vet the quality" when there's a MUCH higher bar for being on xCloud, Luna, etc.
Apple's inflexibility around the "no game streaming" has created several major platforms that are going to bleed IAP revenue from App Store games. This is especially true when their argument was "We can't vet the quality" when there's a MUCH higher bar for being on xCloud, Luna, etc.
Well, it’s a web-based service so it makes sense. But they already confirmed they’re bringing this to the desktop app as well.
The problem here is that in the industry, Apple has knowingly held back Safari to push developers to make native apps.
So Apple knew they were pushing the developers to a less than ideal solution that they've purposely spent less time on.
This is what you call saving face. Apple gets to screw over 3rd party developers with a less than ideal secondary route while looking like the good guy to the public and avoiding Congress/DOJ from starting an anti-competitive investigation.
It's much worse than it actually looks.
Additional reading: https://infrequently.org/2021/04/progress-delayed/
actually, speaks more about the reader.
Considering Microsoft is able to ship a native app on every other platform but iOS I hardly see what Apple has to brag about. "We forced Microsoft to build a web app just for our platform because of our arcane rules and thirst for a 30% commission, here they are to tell us all about it!"
MUUHHHAAAAHHAAAA (Intel with their arrogant postering about macs being poor gaming platforms - which their are don't get me wrong, and Apple with their arrogant toss about the 'quality' and 'security' of the app store).
Edit: so maybe only partially applicable to Apple ?.
Edit: so maybe only partially applicable to Apple ?.
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Has anyone tested xCloud with this: https://github.com/jvanakker/tvOSBrowser
Well there WAS a solution, it was the same solution that Nintendo is providing for the Switch. Developers provide a purchasable “app” on the eShop so customers can buy the game then stream through that app. Hitman and Control are two apps that do this. Microsoft didn’t want to, and that’s their prerogative.
Finally! After spending $2000 on a tablet I can do the same thing as a $300 computer. I have loved Apple products and software for a long time, but Windows flexibility is becoming more and more tempting…
no, actually, the question was how reduced the experience would be compared to native app.
Somehow, I think Apple will be fine. I mean, they helped Microsoft accomplish this and will likely help anyone else that wants to implement the same thing. The KEY is… that device they’re playing it on? The one the user is using to “Stick it to Apple by using xCloud? It’s an Apple device.
It’s almost like the folks that were beating Apple by jail breaking the device. I’m like… but you had to BUY an Apple device to do so… so… hooray?
I figured they were talking about it being cumbersome for Microsoft to go the web app route instead of an app.
Yeah, just go to the web, then you don’t have to worry about any of the things that Apple does. If no one else is doing your kind of app or has your kind of content, all the better!
Unfortunately, if an app has ANY competition, and that competition decides to release an App that’s hooked into Apple’s native frameworks, then it’s going to be an uphill battle to get folks to pay for the web app vs. the fully featured, fully enabled one.
What’s so frustrating about the ‘comments’ here, is that the same complaints are made about PWAs and Apple’s lack of support. Microsoft are bringing games to iOS using web technologies - I see this as a fundamental confirmation that there is no barrier to web technologies in Apple’s mobile platforms. Aren’t games the ‘last’ chapter of what the web couldn’t do? Allegedly.
They said they'll be adding it to the gamepass app on Windows, it's just going to be available on web browser on windows because it's just there.
These companies are not going to use IAP for the subscriptions, they'll just push people to sign up online and then they can just sign in.
That's what the anti-steering rule is about in the current Epic Vs. Apple case and the judge doesn't seem to be happy about Apple's impl of this.
I'm failing to see what your solution has anything to do with what GamePass and streaming services do. No one is buying any games on these screaming services, just like you don't buy any movies on Netflix.
If you're talking about individual games, you realize Microsoft can't do this for 200+ games on their own, especially since the games rotate every month? It is unsustainable and they may not have the rights to do it. They should not have to compromise and complicate their excellent service just because Apple prefer Apple Arcade instead.
Awesome news. xCloud is so cool.
Sidenote--Apple Arcade is actually decent as well. They just need more premium games.
Sidenote--Apple Arcade is actually decent as well. They just need more premium games.
I don’t game so apple should have told Microsoft to pound sand! Microsoft sucks!
So, Microsoft is streaming these games using Safari, right? Microsoft could, quite easily, provide a Safari powered streaming wrapper to 200+ games. I mean, it’s the same wrapper that runs a different game on the back end. I’m sure that, given the credentials you already have for xCloud, you could probably write up the app yourself in a couple days (maybe even less). If they have the rights to stream the game via Safari, they have the rights to stream the game via Safari wrapped in an app.
However, as all that’s happening is streaming, no content is getting downloaded, there’s really no need for a native App at all. In the final analysis, people with Apple devices are able to play xCloud games, win-win.
I was invited to the Beta and have been testing this for the last month. It is very impressive but does suffer from stuttering and control input lag. Microsoft said this should be ironed out for the final release.
It was stupid of Apple to ask every single game in Game Pass to be reviewed when content changes frequently.
Apple should maybe have sought to form some sort of partnership with Microsoft so they both benefit.
It was stupid of Apple to ask every single game in Game Pass to be reviewed when content changes frequently.
Apple should maybe have sought to form some sort of partnership with Microsoft so they both benefit.
I’ve been using Stadia for a while, and it works great for me. It also has a web app through Safari, so it can be played on pretty much anything. You just need a half decent Internet connection.
How is Apple wrong? Multi billion Dollar companies want to use Apple Technology to make more money but not pay Apple while trying to move developers off Apple’s platform? Apple Arcade was never designed for hardcore gamers it’s designed for the other 98% of users.
Apple prefers these companies to go this route as it frees their resources while not locking out their customers. This also shows that developers like epic could do the same thing. None of Apple’s resources are used including marketing, payments, support, APIs or engineering. The companies at hand have to drive their own customers to their platform and Apple’s customers access it just like any other website. Win Win.
This allows developers that value Apple’s partnerships to benefit from deeper integration with the OS and APIs they are developing internally.
Apple’s 5 decades long success is not a fluke and many of their competitors did not survive because of shortsightedness. They focused on Apple while Apple focused on making great products more and more customers wanted.
If they determine enough customers will support them doing “real” games. Arcade is already in place and they could easily release an Apple TV with the power of the m1 or coming M2 chips to make Microsoft regret dragging them into the space.