Microsoft is launching its xCloud game streaming service on Sept. 15 and Google already offers a similar service called Stadia. Neither will ever be available to iPhone and iPad users, though, and Apple has decided to explain why.
As Business Insider reports, the reason comes down to a violation of Apple’s App Store policies. Both xCloud and Stadia offers access to over 100 games through their apps, so to be approved for iOS and iPadOS the apps and their content need to be approved by Apple. However, while the apps can be reviewed, none of the games offered by either service can, which is where the problem arises.
“The App Store was created to be a safe and trusted place for customers to discover and download apps, and a great business opportunity for all developers,” an Apple spokesperson explains, “Before they go on our store, all apps are reviewed against the same set of guidelines that are intended to protect customers and provide a fair and level playing field to developers.”
Streaming apps such as Netflix and Spotify are allowed on the App Store, though, and they both offer content (movies, TV shows, and music) that Apple can’t review. Apple argues it’s different for games as they are interactive, can take advantage of in-app payments (DLC), and have an App Store rating. The company also says, “there are consumer expectations baked into the App Store related to gaming.”
The only way xCloud or Stadia could therefore be made available on the App Store is by Apple somehow being able to approve each of the streamed games offered. However, as these games aren’t iOS games, the existing approval process likely wouldn’t be adequate, meaning this is probably never going to happen and both services will remain an Android exclusive.
