Microsoft's xCloud and Xbox Game Pass Not Coming to iOS Due to Apple's Restrictions [Updated]

[Appleman3546]

Yeah, why can Netflix compete with their streaming service against Apple TV plus (is it because Netflix got there first) and Xbox can’t compete with its streaming service against Apple Arcade? Apple, allow browser downloads like on the mac

 

[budselectjr]

One system that could have far more installed than Xbox Gamepass offers. Oh and by the way, xcloud also lets you stream from your own Xbox.

No idea what your point is. The one system is a closed library of specific games with the ability to do nothing else. And the ability to stream from your Xbox is irrelevant as its exactly the same as streaming from Xcloud.

 

[Ethosik]

Yeah, why can Netflix compete with their streaming service against Apple TV plus (is it because Netflix got there first) and Xbox can’t with its streaming service? Apple, allow browser downloads like on the mac

iPad has browser downloads.

Again, how is everyone so certain that xCloud is blocked because it competes with Apple Arcade?

Another question for you guys. Let's say it is true, and Apple is forced to change their rules. Should Sony be forced to allow xCloud on the PS5 then? Should Microsoft be forced to allow PS Now app on Xbox?

 

[goobot]

But I thought you guys wanted an equal playing field? Unless you want to give Microsoft special treatment.

If this is allowed, I can create a similar "service" and create a "game" that asks for credit card details to purchase content and create my own App Store.

That’s not what’s happening tho.

 

[Ethosik]

No idea what your point is. The one system is a closed library of specific games with the ability to do nothing else. And the ability to stream from your Xbox is irrelevant as its exactly the same as streaming the from Xcloud.

Ability to stream from your Xbox is actually quite relevant. Apple allows Steam Link since its connecting to your own personal device. Not some cloud service provider.

 

[JCCL]

No idea what your point is. The one system is a closed library of specific games with the ability to do nothing else. And the ability to stream from your Xbox is irrelevant as its exactly the same as streaming the from Xcloud.

stream for you Xbox is the same as streaming from a computer. You streamfrom a device that have a specific OS with a set number of apps installed
Anyway done arguing with sheeps. Long live Apple! This move is great. Apple Arcade is the best thing that happened to gaming since the original NES!

 

[Bayshun]

In the 12 years I’ve had iPhones and been a part of the Apple ecosystem, I’ve never considered leaving until now. Hoping this antitrust stuff loosens Apple up some.

 

[friedmud]

Well, technically speaking, a Netflix movie or a Kindle book or Spotify doesn’t run arbitrary code that’s being streamed to the device.

Apple’s POV is probably that the code that you submit for review should be the code that’s in the app, without having code pulled in from elsewhere and run. Games kind of stretch the boundaries of this - when you pull in a new set of levels, is that new code, just new graphics/content? It’s a bit murky.

I believe this is why, for instance, they shut down emulators (like Apple II emulators or NES emulators) - because they involve pulling in and running code that’s not part of your submission. They do have a point here. Sandboxing does a LOT in terms of the safety of iOS devices. However, Apple does a lot of automated code review when you submit your app through review. That really does do quite a bit in terms of catching private API usage or anything that might be sketchy.

So I disagree that this is being done for anticompetitive purposes. It stems from, like so many other moves, Apple’s maniacal obsession to control every aspect of the user experience.

Game streaming services DO NOT execute game code locally. Not at all. That's actually the whole point. They are receiving a movie stream and, at most, sending back inputs. That's it.

 

[Abazigal]

Game streaming services DO NOT execute game code locally. Not at all. That's actually the whole point. They are receiving a movie stream and, at most, sending back inputs. That's it.

Yeah, I clarified in a later post. Don’t know why I initially thought it was analogous to a game emulator.

 

[macsrcool1234]

With the recent news of that exploit/hack using Microsoft O365 then somewhat good.

microsoft has a far better track record for reliability than apple when it comes to services....

 

[drewyboy]

Not sure why people are even bothering with this comparison. Movies and TV shows aren't apps. Games are apps.

What makes something an app? Seriously want to know your perspective. I can see your main point, but wouldn't interactive tv shows and movies, that Netflix currently has on iOS, be borderline app?

 

[4jasontv]

Ability to stream from your Xbox is actually quite relevant. Apple allows Steam Link since its connecting to your own personal device. Not some cloud service provider.

It's also connecting from your hardware. It's you to you.

 

[4jasontv]

microsoft has a far better track record for reliability than apple when it comes to services....

Um.... what? They both have a history of releasing both terrible and excellent services.

 

[mrcloaked]

Consider MMOs.

 

[0134168]

Greed.

 

[darkslide29]

In the 12 years I’ve had iPhones and been a part of the Apple ecosystem, I’ve never considered leaving until now. Hoping this antitrust stuff loosens Apple up some.

I’m feeling exactly the same. Apple fanboy for over 12 years also, and now here I am in over my head looking at Android and Surface tablets tonight. A year ago, I more would have believed a global pandemic was on the way over me leaving the Apple ecosystem!

 

[Rogifan]

This would definitely kill Apple Arcade, and gives no way for Apple to monetize it (without implementing a subscription option through the app). $15 for this is a great deal, and it also comes with Xbox Live Gold. Regardless, its very disappointing news

How is this any different than Netflix? Apple doesn’t monetize that. Honestly Apple needs to get out of the business of monetizing other people’s businesses. Charge a fee to developers for all the App Store support, make users pay something for an app. But stop taking a cut of other people’s revenue streams.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I haven’t read through all 10 pages, just the first and the last couple. There’s usually two sides to every story.

Does anyone here understand Apple’s side or is it just a bunch of guesses and speculation?

 

[td2243]

Let's put it this way. Comcast goes out and starts their own sports channel. And then tells ESPN to get lost, we arent going to play your channel anymore; even though lets say the content doesnt even overlap (they show different games ESPN doesnt carr). That is anti-competitive because Comcast wants to be the only one making the money off their channel. If they allow ESPN the customer has a 50/50chance of watching theirs vs 100%

To play the devil’s advocate (and I am no fan of Comcast), why wouldn’t Comcast say, “don’t like it? go start your own cable company”. I guess it comes down to what was said earlier about the sheer size of these companies and their impact on the world.

How is this different than say . . . telling McDonald’s they have to sell Burger King burgers too? I mean, would it be anti-competitive if they didn’t agree to that? Does that analogy work in relation to the arcade/Microsoft discussion? I’m not sure.

Apple wants to make the only money off of their streaming arcade service. They dont want competitors in the store where people could subscribe to them and not Apple.

makes perfect sense to me.

 

[hot-gril]

They also allow inputs, as in naming your character, or typing something in. What is to prevent me from creating a similar service, and 3 months later create something that asks for your credit card half way through an AWESOME game?

A lot of apps on the store right now load a Javascript bundle from a remote source and could do that. Usually React Native.

 

[PickUrPoison]

The article says Apple's App Store rules require games in a game subscription to be owned or licensed by the developer.

Does anyone understand why Apple wants this?

 

[hot-gril]

I haven’t read through all 10 pages, just the first and the last couple. There’s usually two sides to every story.

Does anyone here understand Apple’s side or is it just a bunch of guesses and speculation?

Nobody here here is known to work for Apple, so speculation. Anyone who really does work for Apple probably won't say.

 

[Jim_MAY]

This is so ****ing ********, crazy how Apple can give the middle finger to it’s over 1B devices who want to enjoy game streaming because they have a MONOPOLY

I don't understand, Apple gave the Communist Chinese access but want give it to Microsoft.

 

[Realityck]

There's nothing Apple loves more than a monopoly. Of course they denied this app! It competes directly with their Arcade service. Apple hates competition.

I always thought Apple's tendency to remove non-apple products that make their products look bad was pitiful. Take for example Steve Jobs pitching the iPod Hi Fi, so Apple methodically removed most computer speakers from the Apple store to allow that awful product to look good. They did the same when the bought Beats, suddenly all the competing earphones and headphones from the Apple store are gone.

This cloud based gaming is very common with more advanced gaming, no one wants to download games into a finite memory such as a Apple TV to play them.

 

[4nNtt]

It's not the "future" but it is certainly part of it for the reasons you've laid out. Purists will always want the speed and fidelity that a local system can provide; physics gets in the way of streaming winning out entirely (looking at you lag!).

This is why it will never compete against Apple AR headset gaming