xCloud: how Microsoft wants to bring cloud gaming to the iPhone and iPad

After Apple has put various obstacles in the way of Microsoft, the software giant from Redmond is now allegedly working on an alternative to offer the games from its own cloud gaming service xCloud. As The Verge and Business Insider claim to have found out from their sources, Microsoft wants to circumvent the App Store by offering the games via the browser.

In an internal meeting, Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer is said to have revealed the plans for the browser-based xCloud. "We absolutely will end up on iOS," said Spencer. He also says he has a "good feeling" about the progress of his company. "We’ll end up on iPhones, and iPads with Game Pass."

Apple had halted recent attempts by Microsoft and Google to enable its cloud gaming service on iPhone and iPad through the App Store. Apple requires that each individual game be listed independently in the App Store and can thus be tested. Microsoft apparently did not want to fulfill these requirements, so they decided to use the alternative in the browser.

Microsoft: xCloud follows Amazon Luna

Amazon is pursuing a similar plan with its streaming service Luna. Like Amazon, games should then be playable via the browser. Amazon said a few days ago during the presentation of Luna that they are working together with Apple's Safari team to realize such a service.

Microsoft is currently planning the availability of web-based cloud gaming for early 2021. xCloud has been available to subscribers of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for Android players since mid-September. Currently, more than 150 titles are available to stream.

In the same meeting, Spencer also gave details about game streaming on the PC: xCloud for Windows 10 PCs is scheduled to launch in 2021. The company has already been testing these possibilities internally with its employees for several months.

Source: The Verge, Business Insider