Report: Apple Instates New iOS Guidelines Allowing Game Streaming Services And Opening Opportunity For xCloud & Stadia On Apple Devices

Just about at the halfway mark during July this past summer, Microsoft announced that Project xCloud would be transitioning from its closed playtests to officially releasing for public consumption later in September. The firm shared that users who pay for the extended Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription will be granted access to the cloud-based streaming service when it ships in the coming months.

Leading forward to the arrival of xCloud’s official commercial debut, the firm shared that its pursuit for iOS support would be halted indefinitely as Apple issued specific policies in its guidelines which refrains Microsoft from properly releasing the service on Apple-owned devices. While it was not disclosed as to what means limited Microsoft in those regards, it was presumed the decision was based on how xCloud functions as users would be required to make purchases outside of Apple’s jurisdiction.

Now less than a week away from the arrival for xCloud hitting Android devices, Apple has reworked its iOS policy to better suit for platforms like Microsoft’s and the already available Stadia to be supported on Apple products. In that, Apple instates a new measure which allows games to be listed individually on The App Store that suits its guidelines to ensure other services can perform on Apple’s mobile ecosystem.

Howbeit, Microsoft when speaking to The Verge shared to be unhappy with the decision. A spokesperson representing Microsoft disclosed that the decision does not help in the betterment of the consumer.

This remains a bad experience for customers. Gamers want to jump directly into a game from their curated catalog within one app just like they do with movies or songs, and not be forced to download over 100 apps to play individual games from the cloud. We’re committed to putting gamers at the center of everything we do, and providing a great experience is core to that mission.

It is projected that if Microsoft and/or Google would be to follow this course laid out by Apple, the services would be functioning on Apple device, but under a capital retainer. That being when purchases would be made intended for xCloud or Stadia, Apple would be able to collect its 30 percent as part of its in-app purchase policy on its platform.

Although it does essentially open the gate to integrate users of an entirely separate region of online users, it also hones close to another issue currently in development through a legal dispute. That being the legal endeavor between Apple and Epic Games following the publisher discounting its Fortnite virtual currency V-Bucks to beat the 30 percent policy. The decision also resulted with the game being delisted from Google Play as well.

Most noted from the situation at hand is how this is a specifically cherry picked regarding video games. While the ability to make purchases through other means on Apple devices is available for other mediums of entertainment – i.e. books, film, television – the same cannot be said for video games now. Ultimately, despite the change of heart so soon before xCloud’s release, it does not look likely it will hit The App Store next week.

What are you thoughts on Apple’s new decision?

Project xCloud arrives to Android on September 15, 2020.

Source: The Verge