14 DAY TRIAL // While Microsoft has recently announced that the Project xCloud game streaming service would be coming to Android this year, the company hasn’t provided to too many details on its plans for Apple’s iOS platform.
And while the software giant did say that a timeline for Project xCloud on iOS wasn’t available, it was pretty clear from the very beginning that Microsoft just hit a roadblock in the App Store due to Apple’s walled garden.
The Cupertino-based iPhone maker just wants to review all games that cloud services offer individually, and this is the reason apps like Project xCloud aren’t allowed in the App Store. In other words, if Apple can’t manually give the go-ahead for each game that gaming platforms offer, they’re not published in the App Store, therefore can’t run on the iPhone.
“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,” an Apple spokesperson was recently quoted as saying.
No path for Project xCloud on iOS
In a detailed statement released a few hours ago, Microsoft explains that while it still wants to bring Project xCloud to iOS devices, Apple is the one that just wants to “deny consumers from cloud gaming.”
And once again, Microsoft blasts Apple for its App Store guidelines, explaining that apps are sometimes treated differently depending on their purpose.
“Our testing period for the Project xCloud preview app for iOS has expired. Unfortunately, we do not have a path to bring our vision of cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to gamers on iOS via the Apple App Store. Apple stands alone as the only general purpose platform to deny consumers from cloud gaming and game subscription services like Xbox Game Pass.
And it consistently treats gaming apps differently, applying more lenient rules to non-gaming apps even when they include interactive content. All games available in the Xbox Game Pass catalog are rated for content by independent industry ratings bodies such as the ESRB and regional equivalents. We are committed to finding a path to bring cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to the iOS platform. We believe that the customer should be at the heart of the gaming experience and gamers tell us they want to play, connect and share anywhere, no matter where they are. We agree.”
Microsoft has previously criticized Apple for its 30% App Store fee, calling for antitrust regulators to look into the practice.