News around Microsoft’s Project xCloud has started hotting up around the launch of the service next month. We initially found out that it would be launching in September and that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers would gain access to it free of charge. It was then confirmed that the nebulous September release date was September 15 and it would initially only be launching on Android devices in 22 different countries.
Now, as pointed out by The Verge’s Tom Warren, we have slightly more of an idea of why the service is only launching on Android.
Initially posted as a tweet, Tom Warren noticed that the limited iOs trial of xCloud had been removed from the store, way earlier than its original September 11 end date.
He was then able to speak to a representative from Microsoft who confirmed:
“Our Project xCloud preview TestFlight period has ended on iOS and we are focused on delivering cloud gaming as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to Android customers beginning September 15,” before adding “It’s our ambition to scale cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass available on all devices.”
The reported reason for the removal of the test is Apple’s strict in-app purchase policies, in which they require a 30% cut of all revenue from such purchases. The Verge article also points out that Apple has strict policies around “remote desktop clients” of which xCloud would fall into and would struggle to circumnavigate.
Despite the trial on iOs devices ending prematurely, the Android version will continue until the previously advertised date.
Recently Microsoft also took a shot at rivals Sony by revealing that the service would work with Playstation’s own DualShock 4 controllers, unlike any PS5 games which are designed with the new DualSense controller in mind.
All in all, this is a huge shame for all of the users out there who were planning to use xCloud on either their iPhone or iPad – here’s hoping the two mega-corporations can come to an agreement sooner rather than later for all involved.
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