Microsoft xCloud Testing Ends Early On iOS Due To App Store Restrictions
It looks like the xCloud game streaming testing is at an end, at least for iOS devices. Microsoft had previously notified testers that the testing preview would be ending on September 11th, though now it’s been revealed that, while testing will be ongoing on Android platforms, xCloud activities on iOS are being halted today.
“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,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement to The Verge. “It’s our ambition to scale cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass available on all devices.” Said ambition seems to have been drastically limited on iOS devices, though, with the company being forced to limit its testing to just Halo: The Master Chief Collection and 10,000 testers in order “to comply with App Store policies.”
Microsoft has confirmed it’s ending the xCloud on iOS app test today. Apple’s App Store policies appear to be preventing xCloud from launching on iOS, and the future of the service on iPhones and iPads remains unclear. Details here: https://t.co/ERQz8Uzaei pic.twitter.com/w3fDr6JrmJ
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) August 5, 2020
Microsoft has yet to reveal which of Apple’s policies have prevented further xCloud testing from reasonably happening, though given Microsoft’s commitment to the project, it will likely have had to be something the company wasn’t willing to concede on. As such, for now any future xCloud testing on iOS devices seems to be firmly in Apple’s hands, though chances are high the company will stay its course, even if it means that iOS devices will lack yet another feature that Android has.
Thoughts on Microsoft pulling xCloud testing out of iOS devices? Let us know in the comments section below, and as always, stay tuned to Don’t Feed the Gamers for all the latest gaming and entertainment news! Don’t forget to follow DFTG on Twitter for our 24/7 news feed!
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Ryan "Cinna" Carrier3026 Posts
Ryan is the Lead Editor for Don't Feed the Gamers. When he isn't writing, Ryan is likely considering yet another playthrough of Final Fantasy IX. He's also the DFTG cinnamon bun.