Apple bans Microsoft’s cloud game service applications from the App Store

Microsoft officially announced its cloud gaming service Project xCloud in 2018. Players only need to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass to download the Project xCloud application on any device to play all games available on Microsoft servers.

Project xCloud plans to officially provide services in North America, Europe, and South Korea on September 15 this year, but today Microsoft announced that this service will not be available to iPhone and iPad users. The reason is not that Microsoft discriminates against its competitors, but Apple does not allow it.

Image: xbox

An Apple spokesperson said in response to the media that because the Project xCloud application allows users to play hundreds of games on Microsoft servers, and the App Store cannot review these games one by one, Microsoft cannot put the application on the App Store.

Here’s the official Apple statement:

The App Store was created to be a safe and trusted place for customers to discover and download apps, and a great business opportunity for all developers. 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.

Our customers enjoy great apps and games from millions of developers, and gaming services can absolutely launch on the App Store as long as they follow the same set of guidelines applicable to all developers, including submitting games individually for review, and appearing in charts and search. In addition to the App Store, developers can choose to reach all iPhone and iPad users over the web through Safari and other browsers on the App Store.

Microsoft said that the App Store is the only platform that prohibits users from using cloud gaming services, but they will still actively seek solutions to introduce Project xCloud cloud gaming services to the iOS system as soon as possible.

Via: businessinsider