Last year, Microsoft had to abandon its project to bring the xCloud cloud gaming system to iOS as an application, on the grounds that it did not comply with the App Store rules. Private emails from Microsoft reveal that the famous American company has entered into a secret bargain with Apple to bring these games to iPhone and iPad.
Microsoft tried hard to persuade Apple
As you know, Microsoft’s cloud gaming technology and application Xclous streams games through its own servers. In this way, you can play the games in the way you want on any device.
However, Apple’s App Store rules do not allow an app like xCloud. As a matter of fact, the company allows games to be played over the cloud if they are presented as different applications. In this sense, if Microsoft wants to play Halo Infinite on iPhone or iPad, for example, it has to develop a separate application for it. As a matter of fact, this applies to every single game on xCloud…
Microsoft, which started testing xCloud for iOS in February 2020, was vetoed by Apple and the application was officially closed in August 2020. Private emails revealed by The Verge that Microsoft sent to Apple show that the company is trying many different ways to bring its games to the App Store.
Here’s Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s formula for different apps:
“We think the elements you mention here will cause confusion and anger in customers. The result will be the perception that Apple devices do not offer an experience that is equivalent to others.
This solution will be a very exciting opportunity for iOS users to access other AAA quality games as well as those included in Game Pass. ”
Lori Wright of Microsoft
But Apple does not back down and responds with:
“Unfortunately, this version of xCloud does not comply with our App Store Review Guidelines regarding in-app purchases and additional features. ”
Apple
As you can see, Microsoft seems to have done its best in the background of the agreement that did not materialize. However, with its strict stance, Apple did not respond positively to Microsoft’s offers. Currently, iOS users can access xCloud through their web browsers, but the cloud system is not expected to come to devices as an application in the near future.