Microsoft is developing a web solution that will allow you to bring xCloud and Game Pass to iOS and iPadOS without going through the official Apple store.
The App Store policies are under intense accusations and now stand in the way of the launch of the game services. Epic Games’ legal battle with Apple is the tip of the iceberg, but other companies are affected too, such as Microsoft and Google.
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Apple blocked xCloud and Stadia on iOS because they “violated” App Store rules and Microsoft blamed Apple for “being left alone and being the only platform to deny consumers the benefits of these services.” Apple subsequently offered a way into the store, but with some important restrictions.
Microsoft will bring xCloud and Game Pass to iOS
Microsoft is tired and will take its services and game subscriptions to Apple‘s mobile platforms via the web, without going through the App Store. This was confirmed by Microsoft’s head of Gaming, Phil Spencer, in an open meeting with employees: “We absolutely will end up on iOS.”
The development of a custom web application for xCloud to work in iOS follows the steps of the new competitor of Microsoft and Google in gaming services: Amazon Luna. Everything points to the fact that Microsoft will follow a similar route to that used by the e-commerce giant.
Spencer’s announcement is especially interesting since it comes on the same day that Microsoft has detailed the ten principles that its own Microsoft Store will follow and that “will promote choice, innovation and ensure fairness in Windows 10.” Among the promises, Microsoft said it would not block competing application stores to Windows and would not block applications from its store based on the developer’s choice of payment processing for purchases within the application, which is specifically the big fight between Apple and Epic.
Epic Games have called it “the future of application stores” and Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted that “it’s wonderful to see Microsoft formally move its principles rooted in Windows as an open platform and a fair marketplace for all developers and consumers.”
Microsoft said that its new store policies are based on the idea of the Coalition for App Fairness, an “independent non-profit organization founded by leading companies in the industry to defend freedom of choice and fair competition throughout the application ecosystem.
