Microsoft has confirmed that its new xCloud game streaming service will come to iOS devices in 2021, supported in the Safari web browser.
The company announced the news in a press release on its website, revealing that the new cloud gaming feature, which is now part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, will be available to play via web browsers on iOS.
Earlier in the year, it was revealed that the company had stopped working on xCloud for iOS devices, following Apple’s decision to change its App Store guidelines in relation to third-party streaming services.
Since then, Microsoft has been preparing a workaround, and will instead allow users to play games via their web browser, so the company can avoid the App Store entirely.
Speaking of the new cloud gaming option, Microsoft said on its blog: “Expanding Xbox to new players is central to our ambition of helping games and developers find an easy path to the world’s 3 billion gamers. We are doing this by embracing multiple devices and providing a consistent Xbox experience wherever you log in, whether that’s on your Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One, Android device or – starting in Spring 2021 – your Windows PC and iOS device from the cloud.”
“In Spring 2021, we will take the next step in our journey to reach more players around the world by making cloud gaming as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate available on Windows PCs through the Xbox app and browser, and iOS devices through mobile web browser. By adding over a billion devices as a path to playing in the Xbox ecosystem, we envision a seamless experience for all types of players; whether it’s playing Minecraft Dungeons with your Xbox friends using touch controls on an iPhone, or jumping into a Destiny 2: Beyond Light strike on a Surface Pro when you have a break between meetings.”
Since Microsoft pulled the original version of xCloud, Apple has changed its App Store guidelines, allowing developers to submit streaming game services to the App Store, but only if each of the games that can be played on the service are released as individual apps.
Microsoft follows Google and Amazon in building its own cloud streaming service, with Google working on Stadia for a number of years, and Amazon recently unveiling Luna.
Are you excited about xCloud? Let us know and check back soon for more news.