Apple allows cloud gaming on iOS, kind of

Apple announced changes to its App Store Guidelines. Cloud gaming services like Microsoft xCloud, Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now can now technically exist on iOS. However, there’s a catch.

Every title will have to be downloadable “directly from the App Store.” Likewise, every update will have to be reviewed by Apple individually. Essentially, there can’t be one streaming app to access all the games. However, Microsoft, Google and Nvidia are allowed to create an app that will act like a catalogue linking out to all of the individual games downloadable separately. Obviously, Apple will take its 30% cut from each of those separate games.

While Aple claims it’s revised its stance on cloud games, the updated guidelines sound like they’re meant to continue blocking any cloud gaming services.

At least, that’s the perception that Microsoft has:

This remains a bad experience for customers. Gamers want to jump directly into a game from their curated catalog within one app just like they do with movies or songs, and not be forced to download over 100 apps to play individual games from the cloud.

Microsoft, via The Verge

Microsoft also points out the fact that Apple does not make Netflix, Disney Plus, or Spotify stream each individual movie, TV show, or album from a separate app. That’s probably because movies and music are not the biggest part of the App Store. But games are. The updated guidelines, above all, insure that Apple keeps receiving its revenue from in-game purchases.

Google and Nvidia declined to comment. We are yet to see whether any of the cloud gaming platforms will try to roll out their solutions on iOS incorporating Apple’s rules.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is launching its streaming service on Android this week. Formerly known as xCloud, the service will debut as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on September 15 across 22 countries.