Apple said it won’t allow cloud services like xCloud and Google Stadia on its devices. Nvidia’s GeForce Now will also be limited to Android.
Apple cites the App Store guidelines that ban cloud services because they make apps accessible that Apple can’t review on a title-by-title basis. Apple simply can’t know beforehand what titles users will want to access through cloud gaming platforms.
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. 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.
Our customers enjoy great apps and games from millions of developers, and gaming services can absolutely launch on the App Store as long as they follow the same set of guidelines applicable to all developers, including submitting games individually for review, and appearing in charts and search. In addition to the App Store, developers can choose to reach all iPhone and iPad users over the web through Safari and other browsers on the App Store.
The official Apple statement via Business Insider
Yesterday, Microsoft ceased its iOS testing for the xCloud app, which will officially launch on September 15 on Android only. However, in a statement to the Verge, Microsoft said it is “committed to finding a path to bring cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to the iOS platform.” This is despite the fact that “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.”
We are yet to see whether Apple will manage to keep its ecosystem closed from cloud gaming for long.