Jessica Heygate
Updated on: October 12, 2024 1:19 pm GMT
The dream of playing Xbox games on your iPhone or Apple TV seems further away than ever. Despite some progress in Apple’s approach to cloud gaming, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass app is still not making its way to these popular devices anytime soon. So what’s holding things up?
Current Options for Xbox Game Pass Users
Technically, Xbox Game Pass users can already access their favorite games on iPhones and iPads. Microsoft offers its cloud gaming service through Safari by visiting xbox.com/play. However, this method isn’t a fully optimized experience.
– The official Xbox Game Pass app is available on the App Store.
– Users can manage their Xbox libraries through the app.
– Actual gameplay is still not an option on this platform.
This limitation arises from an ongoing dispute between Apple and cloud gaming companies over App Store policies.
Apple’s Striking Policy Changes
In January 2024, Apple made headlines by shifting its stance on cloud gaming. The company faced increasing pressure due to the upcoming Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Union. This regulation aimed to increase competition by making platform policies more developer-friendly.
However, nine months after this shift, Microsoft has yet to release a Game Pass app for Apple users. Why not?
According to a report from MacRumors, there’s a less known Apple requirement that cloud gaming services must comply with: any cloud gaming app must sell its subscriptions directly through the app. These in-app purchases incur a hefty commission.
– Apple takes a 30% cut on all in-app purchases.
– For Game Pass Ultimate, priced at €17.99 per month, Microsoft would lose €5.40 per subscriber.
– Microsoft has cited the financial implications as a major reason for not pursuing an app launch on iOS.
This makes it “neither economically sustainable nor justifiable” for Microsoft to offer the app under current conditions.
The Apple TV Dilemma
While iPhone users might at least play their games using a browser, Xbox gamers on Apple TV are left with no gaming options. Playing titles from Game Pass on Apple’s set-top box remains impossible due to similar restrictions.
Despite Apple’s recent policy changes allowing cloud gaming apps, Microsoft has expressed little interest in developing for the Apple TV. The lack of an Xbox Game Pass app for Apple TV signifies a continued rift between the gaming giant and Apple.
Regulatory Pressures in the UK
Interestingly, the regulatory landscape continues to evolve. While the UK is no longer part of the EU, it is developing its own version of the DMA. The UK regulators have asked Microsoft why Game Pass is still unavailable on Apple’s App Store, even after the company’s policy shift.
Microsoft’s response highlights the financial constraints set by Apple, reiterating that such terms are not feasible for their business model.
– Microsoft pointed to Apple’s in-app purchase rules as a barrier.
– A potential Game Pass app could not be profitable under the current conditions.
The continued scrutiny of Apple’s App Store practices may prompt changes, so the landscape is worth watching.
Cloud Gaming Competition
Despite these setbacks, cloud gaming is experiencing growth. Xbox Cloud Gaming launched in 2020, marking one of the first widely successful cloud gaming services. Yet, there are competitors in the space.
– NVIDIA’s GeForce Now was released around the same time and currently has twice as many users as Xbox Cloud Gaming.
– Both services initially struggled for iOS availability due to Apple’s restrictive rules.
As of late 2021, users could play through a web browser, but the experience is not optimal compared to dedicated apps.
The Bigger Picture: Past Legal Battles
Microsoft’s situation with Apple isn’t new. The ongoing contention echoes the legal battles seen in past years. Epic Games was one of the first developers to challenge Apple’s stringent App Store regulations. They sought to establish an alternative payment system that bypassed Apple’s fees.
This legal challenge received international attention and highlighted the larger issues of market access and platform fairness.
A Financial Tightrope
Even with regulatory pressures easing, financial hurdles appear daunting for Microsoft.
– The additional fee of €0.50 for every download could become another barrier in launching a Game Pass app.
– With Microsoft already wary of losing a significant portion of revenue, the economics of it all remain a top concern.
although the United States and Europe are evolving in terms of digital marketplace rules, the core issue rests in the financial obligations imposed by Apple.
The Future of Xbox Game Pass on Apple Devices
With this complex backdrop, the future of Xbox Game Pass on Apple devices remains uncertain. While optimism exists regarding regulatory changes that may favor developers, Microsoft continues to rely on its web-based solution for cloud gaming access.
– Current financial agreements do not make a dedicated app viable for Xbox Game Pass.
– Microsoft shows no signs of rushing into the App Store due to these challenges.
For now, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV users may have to stick to the browser for their Xbox gaming fix.
Caption: Xbox Game Pass offers users access to a variety of games, but the experience remains limited on Apple devices.
As things change, it’s important for users to watch for new updates. Even though things might seem tough right now, changes in rules or plans could lead to exciting new chances for cloud gaming. For now, Microsoft looks like it will keep working through these challenges without an app made just for Apple devices.
