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

[farewelwilliams]

It's almost as if...Apple wouldn't have allowed it in the first place. If only some project manager knew that ahead of time...

This move was a pure PR move by Microsoft. They *KNEW* this app wasn't going to get approved. Media outlets got played.

 

[Apple_Employee]

Microsoft's "Project xCloud" streaming game service that pairs with its Xbox Game Pass won't be available on iPhone and iPad when it launches this September, and Apple's App Store restrictions are to blame.

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.

In a statement to Business Insider, an Apple spokesperson said that the restrictions are designed to protect consumers and provide a level playing field to developers.Project xCloud, a new arm of the Xbox Game Pass feature that lets users download games to a PC or Xbox, will provide streaming access to more than 100 games for $15 a month, with games able to be played on smartphones and tablets. It's designed to be like Netflix for games.

Microsoft made a TestFlight beta available for Project xCloud earlier this year, but it became clear yesterday that xCloud isn't going to be available on iOS devices at launch.

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.Microsoft has known that it would be difficult to launch the streaming gaming service on iOS since beta testing began. When the TestFlight version of the app was released for iOS users, Microsoft said that the preview experience would "look and feel different" on iOS because of 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.

Microsoft was also only able to make one game available on TestFlight, "Halo: The Master Chief Collection" because 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 called Google Stadia, which Apple has not allowed on the App Store. Stadia can be accessed on Android devices, but not on iPhones and iPads. The same goes for Nvidia's streaming gaming service, GeForce Now.

Valve also ran into trouble when attempting to make Steam Link available on iPhones and iPads, with Apple rejecting the app after it was submitted for review.

Valve was ultimately able to launch the app by removing the ability to purchase apps from within the Steam Link store, which may have led Apple to ultimately approve the app.

Steam Link is designed to allow you to play your own Steam games on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, streaming from a Mac or PC, so it is somewhat different than Google Stadia and Project xCloud, services that make a catalog of games available.

Article Link: Microsoft's xCloud and Xbox Game Pass Not Coming to iOS Due to Apple's Restrictions

Me: "Laughs in Android voice"

 

[imnotthewalrus]

You cannot be serious.

I am. And at least you didn't call me Shirley.

 

[darkslide29]

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

You know how when you open up Netflix, there are hundreds of movies for you to choose from on demand by just hitting the play button and it starts streaming? And how movies and tv shows will rotate in and out of the service? xCloud is the same way. You open up the app, and you'll have games to choose from and immediately start streaming and playing, just like Netflix. And games will come and go, also like Netflix. You aren't purchasing an individual game, just like you aren't purchasing individual movies on Netflix.

So that's why it appears to be a disingenuous reason for Apple to say that they can't review every game that rotates into the service, since they have no problem ignoring this rule for all other cloud-based streaming media (movies, tv shows, music).

 

[mrcloaked]

They just test quickly.

 

[farewelwilliams]

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

Android has 80% marketshare. But you do you.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

You’re even confident about it.

No more or less confident than you are.

 

[4jasontv]

You know how when you open up Netflix, there are hundreds of movies for you to choose from on demand by just hitting the play button? And how movies and tv shows will rotate in and out of the service? xCloud is the same way. You open up the app, and you'll have games to choose from and immediately start playing, just like Netflix. And games will come and go, also like Netflix. You aren't purchasing an individual game, just like you aren't purchasing individual movies on Netflix.

So that's why it appears to be a disingenuous reason when Apple say that they can't review every game that rotates into the service, since they have no problem ignoring this rule for all other cloud-based streaming media (movies, tv shows, music).

The idea of content filtering is disingenuous. Good things for people to see, like sex and nudity, almost always get strict restrictions while harmful things like discriminatory ideas and violence are promoted in the contents trailers. So it's hard for me to take content filtering seriously when no one else seems to.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Every day i read something Apple negative like that in the news.
Im getting closer and closer to ditch my Apple stuff, they are seriously $@$*! me off.
If US & EU Antitrust don’t get them under control, I’m gone.
It’s staring to feel bad, supporting Apple by buying and using their devices.

Nintendo and Sony wouldn't allow it on their platform. Why should Apple allow it?

 

[mrcloaked]

I like that.

 

[farewelwilliams]

This is really a glorified remote desktop app, albeit one optimized for gaming.

At some point, I hope Apple is forced to cut back on their restrictions or allow other stores. The walled garden regulations are increasingly out of hand.

If Apple is forced to, Sony and Nintendo would be forced to too, even Microsoft's own store as well. Sony has a huge remote play platform and they would love to bring it to Microsoft's store.

 

[darkslide29]

I am conflicted on this. I see anti-trust (monopoly) arguments, but also level-playing-field arguments. Apple could adjust its policies to allow services such as this in the future, but I see no problem enforcing them as they currently exist. Nobody was bitching about this before Microsoft released a service that violated it. Apple also, however, has little motivation to adjust policy when they do, indeed, have a competing service.

TL/DR: There is no right answer to Microsoft releasing this service.

I think it just happens to be that xCloud has the largest subscription base of any game streaming service, so it's getting this attention. Microsoft announced there are over 10 million Game Pass subscribers. Any of the competitors have a fraction of that. Out of those 10 million, I bet a nice chunk are iOS/iPadOS users, including myself.

Stadia is an example that has an android app but can't have an iOS app for the same reason. But they have a serious business model problem and aren't doing as good as they hoped. Nvidia is also another company testing the waters with cloud streaming, but they also have their own issues with their game library, and issues with developers allowing their games on the services. Meanwhile, Microsoft is doing really well, by far ahead of their competition.

 

[tbayrgs]

I empathize and agree with most here pissed off by these limitations imposed by Apple. The best thing people can do is vote with their wallets and not buy Apple products and services.

That being said, i don’t see this changing because I don’t think the disdain felt here is representative of most Apple customers. Most general consumers have zero interest in playing platform level games on their iPhone. Most people’s primary use of their mobile devices is for things they do far more often than gaming. It’s a messaging device, web browser, camera and social media hub infinitely more than it’s a gaming device. If gaming is a priority in your phone, why the hell does it matter that it’s an iPhone? Are you really going to forgo all of the other utility just for the ability to occasionally play platform games on your iPhone?

And in that vein, how good of a gaming experience is it going to be playing games designed to be played with controllers/mice/keyboards on a small touch screen only device? What about latency? People lose their **** over lost milliseconds on their native hardware—I can’t see it being a consistently great experience over mobile data or mediocre WiFi.

 

[darkslide29]

Nintendo and Sony wouldn't allow it on their platform. Why should Apple allow it?

Funny you mention that. There was actually a rumor floating around, kinda still is, that Microsoft was in talks of bringing Game Pass to Nintendo Switch. Enough to appear on gaming news sites to take it seriously enough to talk about and imagine the possibilities. But that's probably only in a gamer's dreams, likely to never actually happen.

I'll be able to play Stadia, or xCloud, or Nvidia's service on MacOS, but can't on iOS. Consistency across platforms would be nice. When Macbooks with ARM are released and have those universal apps that work across iOS and iPadOS and MacOS, this topic becomes even more interesting.

 

[td2243]

Can someone help me understand this better? I’m genuinely asking. I don’t really understand how the anti-trust hearings pertained to Apple. Are they not allowed to choose what apps can/can’t be on their platform?

Are they legally obligated to approve apps that pass a certain criteria? They shouldn’t be required to support competition on their own platform, right? I just don’t get it. Somebody help me out.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Funny you mention that. There was actually a rumor floating around, kinda still is, that Microsoft was in talks of bringing Game Pass to Nintendo Switch. Enough to appear on gaming news sites to take it seriously enough to talk about and imagine the possibilities. But that's probably only in a gamer's dreams, likely to never actually happen.

I'll be able to play Stadia, or xCloud, or Nvidia's service on MacOS, but can't on iOS. Consistency across platforms would be nice. When Macbooks with ARM are released and have those universal apps that work across iOS and iPadOS and MacOS, this topic becomes even more interesting.

I'd say it's highly likely Sony wouldn't mind bringing their Playstation Now subscription service to Microsoft and Nintendo.

 

[4jasontv]

I think it just happens to be that xCloud has the largest subscription base of any game streaming service, so it's getting this attention. Microsoft announced there are over 10 million Game Pass subscribers. Any of the competitors have a fraction of that. Out of those 10 million, I bet a nice chunk are iOS/iPadOS users, including myself.

Stadia is an example that has an android app but can't have an iOS app for the same reason. But they have a serious business model problem and aren't doing as good as they hoped. Nvidia is also another company testing the waters with cloud streaming, but they also have their own issues with their game library, and issues with developers allowing their games on the services. Meanwhile, Microsoft is doing really well, by far ahead of their competition.

I thought the issue was with the content of the games, not the number of users who have access. Which is wierd, right, because it's expected to launch with just over 100 games - but Apple Arcade, a competing subscription gaming service has over 115 games. I feel like Apple is going to have to defend why it has a say in what games Microsoft can offer if they are on iOS while providing a competing service. (And yes, they are different in terms of how the games are provided and in cost - but at their core they are both all you can play monthly mobile game subscription services.

 

[darkslide29]

I empathize and agree with most here pissed off by these limitations imposed by Apple. The best thing people can do is vote with their wallets and not buy Apple products and services.

You are right. I am a gamer and have been looking forward to this feature. But I am a small minority. I can't believe I'm going to be looking into what android tablet to buy. I've been an Apple fanboy for a decade, so I don't even have any idea where to start. I would have rather bought the next iPad instead. Gaming is a big hobby for me, but not for most people, so I understand everyone's 'too bad, go with android then' attitude towards me.

As for the mobile experience you raised - There is surprisingly low latency for the streaming services with a good download and upload connection. I don't plan on playing a full game on mobile, but some games (like Destiny 2) have some grinding or casual things to do that can be done here and there when I have some free time, and a phone would be perfectly fine, especially when precision isn't the most important thing. A PS4 or xbox controller with a phone grip works great this way, I wouldn't use the touch screen myself.

 

[JCCL]

Nintendo and Sony wouldn't allow it on their platform. Why should Apple allow it?

because Nintendo and Sony actually competing products? That may, just may be the case. iOS is not a competition to real console games and if you think that then I guess you’ve never played a console game

I don’t get how consumers can defend this. Like I said before I love Apple devices, but Apple as a company is worse every day just nickel dining their consumers. No matter how much the block it no one will prefer to game on Apple Arcade over Xbox, switch or PS, unless you don’t know better.
Hope this blows in the face. Android is looking better and better every day and will certainly be my next device whenever I decide to upgrade my current Apple stuff. No yearly iPhone or watch upgrade for md this year

 

[ScholarsInk]

With all the "thumbs down" on your post (and soon to be mine) I will say how shocked I am that people don't know the difference between an app and a movie, and the slap in the face it would be to Apple developers to let an outside business slide on through with no testing when they (the Apple developers) have all of their their app/game submissions tested.

I don’t think you understand at all what is being discussed. No external app is being indirectly loaded onto the device. The only thing coming in is a video stream.

 

[mrcloaked]

It's time for scrutiny.

 

[td2243]

Thanks. That makes sense. I guess the question is, where is that line drawn of how they have to “play with others”?

The government is hardly the outside voice of reason. Haha. But I get what you are saying.

 

[farewelwilliams]

because Nintendo and Sony actually competing products? That may, just may be the case. iOS is not a competition to real console games and if you think that then I guess you’ve never played a console game

Wrong. Fortnite brought in $2.4 billion in 2018 alone, most of that from the mobile space. Sony and Microsoft at the very least are competing against iOS to get a piece of that success.

 

[BritishApple]

Screw Apple, and screw Tim Cook.

Apple have become what Microsoft used to be, anti-competitive and arrogant.

I basically can’t use a service I pay for, because Apple would rather I play their rubbish on Apple Arcade (which I never will) and because they are delusional enough to think they’re a competitor to xCloud despite both services targeting utterly different demographics.

And that sad fact is that even Xbox owners boycotting or switching won’t matter, it’ll be a drop in the ocean to Apple.

Not amused. At all.

 

[Indy sparky]

You are right. I am a gamer and have been looking forward to this feature. But I am a small minority. I can't believe I'm going to be looking into what android tablet to buy. I've been an Apple fanboy for a decade, so I don't even have any idea where to start. I would have rather bought the next iPad instead. Gaming is a big hobby for me, but not for most people, so I understand everyone's 'too bad, go with android then' attitude towards me.

As for the mobile experience you raised - There is surprisingly low latency for the streaming services with a good download and upload connection. I don't plan on playing a full game on mobile, but some games (like Destiny 2) have some grinding or casual things to do that can be done here and there when I have some free time, and a phone would be perfectly fine, especially when precision isn't the most important thing. A PS4 or xbox controller with a phone grip works great this way, I wouldn't use the touch screen myself.

100% on D2. Was looking forward to being able to play D2 on the go