Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft‘s games division, has confirmed it to his employees: xCloud is finally coming to iOS and iPadOS devices. It will do so in the same way that Amazon made its Luna proposal available for both the iPhone and the iPad: via web browser. A solution that, in addition, will allow them to avoid Apple‘s 30% commission.
xCloud for iOS and iPadOS
Game streaming services are currently the great absent from Apple’s mobile platforms. Neither Google Stadia, nor GeForce Now, nor Microsoft’s xCloud can be enjoyed on the iPhone or iPad, nor on the Apple TV. But luckily all this is going to change.
After the launch of Luna we already discussed it, that could be a great solution for this undeniable advance in the way we enjoy video games reaches Apple devices. Now it is Microsoft that, through several internal meetings between Phil Spencer (head of Microsoft’s games division) and company staff, has confirmed it: xCloud will be available for Apple devices .
The way they will do it will be through a web browser. For this reason, they are already working on all the necessary changes that this new access route entails, which will be available in early 2021. Although waiting a few more months will be the least of the problems if finally an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV is you can enjoy the entire catalog of games available on Game Pass.
In addition, along with the benefit that it represents for the millions of users of iOS and iPadOS devices, there is also the one that Microsoft will generate itself by avoiding the 30% commission that Apple requires for each in-app purchase. And it is that when accessing through a web browser they have no obligation to distribute income. So, it is a significant amount that the company will earn for each subscription.
Apple shot in the foot
When problems are analyzed from the perspectives of each and every one of the parties involved, it is true that things are seen differently. So much so that even both may have more than legitimate reasons for positioning themselves differently.
However, on the issue of streaming game services , Apple’s position has always been somewhat ridiculous . Because taking care of the user experience is something that is highly valued, but forcing things like an independent app per game and that each one of these go through a review process, etc … did not make any sense.
Now, therefore, as much control as you wanted to have, without understanding that there was nothing really wrong and that your users have enough capacity to understand how a streaming game service works, the changes that can occur in the available game catalogs, etc. ., the company is going to run out of that succulent 30% commission.
So either they have something in mind or in the end the excess of control made him shoot himself in the foot. Because gaming via streaming is here to stay and it will be a very important access option to video games in a matter of a few years. If it is not already starting to be for many players who seek mobility or not depend on a specific hardware.