Microsoft Xcloud game streaming service coming to iPhone, iPad via Safari very soon

Posted:
in iOS
Following a long testing period, Microsoft is releasing its Xcloud game streaming service to all Safari users on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac in the next few weeks.

Xbox cloud gaming coming to iPhone, iPad via Safari in the coming weeks


Apple iPhone and iPad owners will soon be able to play many of their favorite Xbox games and Windows titles from their devices, thanks to Microsoft's efforts to make games streamable from within Safari.

While Microsoft may have originally intended to use their Xcloud app natively on Apple devices, App Store guidelines prohibited streaming off-site games to apps without individual App Store items for each title. Google and Microsoft refused to do this, resulting in an effective ban of services like Xcloud and Google Stadia on the App Store, leaving iOS and iPadOS gamers to do without.

Yet, Microsoft remained determined. By streaming games through Safari, Microsoft does not need to worry about violating the App Store rules.

According to Microsoft, those interested will need to purchase an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which can be purchased directly from Xbox's website. Microsoft is currently running a limited-time offer that allows new users to try out the service for three months for only $1. After the trial period, the service auto-renews at $14.99 a month until canceled.

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Comments

  • Reply 2 of 10
  • Reply 3 of 10
    It's mostly older releases from series like Doom, Fallout, Fable, Halo, Gears of War, Elder Scrolls, Yakuza etc. Don't expect much that's new for $14.99 a month. New = pay $60-$70 for a console game. 
    edited June 2021 watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 10
    BeatsBeats Posts: 3,073member
    It's mostly older releases from series like Doom, Fallout, Fable, Halo, Gears of War, Elder Scrolls, Yakuza etc. Don't expect much that's new for $14.99 a month. New = pay $60-$70 for a console game. 

    Still better than the sh**show that’s Apple Arcade. 
    neoncat
  • Reply 5 of 10
    danvmdanvm Posts: 1,400member
    It's mostly older releases from series like Doom, Fallout, Fable, Halo, Gears of War, Elder Scrolls, Yakuza etc. Don't expect much that's new for $14.99 a month. New = pay $60-$70 for a console game. 
    What you said maybe true with 3rd party games.  MS / Xbox first party games and some 3rd party games (Outriders is an example) will be available from day one.  
    crowley
  • Reply 6 of 10
    gregoriusmgregoriusm Posts: 513member
    Harrumph. Doh! It just came up in my “social media” yesterday. I didn’t check the date. Silly me. 

    Anyway, it’s good to have competition. 😊


    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 10
    It's mostly older releases from series like Doom, Fallout, Fable, Halo, Gears of War, Elder Scrolls, Yakuza etc. Don't expect much that's new for $14.99 a month. New = pay $60-$70 for a console game. 
    Of course it's mostly older releases.  The new consoles are barely 6 months old.  But in those releases are a lot of AAA titles. A helluva lot.  Also which games are you referencing that requires a $60 purchase for new?  Most games have announced day one releases on Game Pass.  Heck even Sony's IP MLB the Show 21 was a day one release on Game Pass.  Sony fans were pissed to high heaven they actually did have to pay $70 for a game that Game Pass subscribers got on day one for free.  

    The catalog is massive and available on PC, console, mobile and contains tons of AAA titles.  $15 is a bargain imo.  You're not going to find better.

    Seems they're also trying to get xCloud as a smart TV app as well.  I guess they want Game Pass available everywhere for everyone regardless of ecosystem.  
    edited June 2021 muthuk_vanalingamneoncat
  • Reply 8 of 10
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    It’s definitely a good deal, though I’m a PlayStation and Nintendo kinda guy.
  • Reply 9 of 10
    What kills me is it only took Apple to get to iOS 14.3 in order to support enough of the web app standards, so web apps wouble be able to run cloud game streaming platforms, like Microsofts's xCloud, Google Stadia, Nivida GeForce, or any other cloud game streaming platform.   Apple should have had better web app support, years ago.   Considering the web app standards were finalized back in 2014 (7 years ago).   What a joke.
    neoncat
  • Reply 10 of 10
    It's mostly older releases from series like Doom, Fallout, Fable, Halo, Gears of War, Elder Scrolls, Yakuza etc. Don't expect much that's new for $14.99 a month. New = pay $60-$70 for a console game. 
    While it's true that there are many older games on GamePass, virtually all of the new X-Box and Microsoft games announced at E3 this year will be available day one on the service.  Over the past year, they've been steadily adding games, and the catalogue is quite impressive.  If you're a gamer, and you don't want to buy every game that you want to play, or wait for it to go on sale on Steam or Epic, $15 per month ($10 for the PC only version, if one doesn't have a console) is a hell of a deal.
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