Microsoft, clearly, is upset at the decision. In a statement issued to
The Verge, the company bemoaned Apple's policy.
"Our testing period for the Project xCloud preview app for iOS has expired," Microsoft said. "Unfortunately, we do not have a path to bring our vision of cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to gamers on iOS via the Apple App Store. Apple stands alone as the only general purpose platform to deny consumers from cloud gaming and game subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. And it consistently treats gaming apps differently, applying more lenient rules to non-gaming apps even when they include interactive content.
Don't expect to see Project xCloud on an iPhone any time soon.
"All games available in the Xbox Game Pass catalog are rated for content by independent industry ratings bodies such as the ESRB and regional equivalents. We are committed to finding a path to bring cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to the iOS platform. We believe that the customer should be at the heart of the gaming experience and gamers tell us they want to play, connect and share anywhere, no matter where they are. We agree."
Microsoft has an ally in this: Epic boss Tim Sweeney, who took to
Twitter to declare: "Apple has outlawed the metaverse."
"The principle they state, taken literally, would rule out all cross-platform ecosystems and games with user created modes: not just xCloud, Stadia, and GeForce NOW, but also Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox," Sweeney said.
