Why Can't Microsoft's Project xCloud Stream Games to Mac Devices?

Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass has been a huge success, with over 10 million paying subscribers worldwide. The service offers access to a vast library of games, including major Xbox titles and third-party releases like 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt' and 'Grand Theft Auto 5'. With the ability to stream those games to any device, it's no wonder that people are comparing Game Pass to services like Netflix.

So, why can't Microsoft's Project xCloud, a cloud gaming service that allows users to play Xbox games on Android devices, be available on Macs as well? The answer lies in Apple's App Store guidelines. According to the tech giant, games are interactive and have different consumer expectations than music and film. This means that any gaming service must follow the same set of guidelines as all other developers, including submitting individual games for review and appearing in charts and search.

Microsoft's Project xCloud doesn't fit this mold, as it allows users to access a library of games without submitting each title individually for review. As a result, Apple is blocking the app that enables access to those games from publishing on its App Store. This is not an isolated incident, as Google's Stadia service has also run into roadblocks with Apple's guidelines.

In response to these issues, an Apple spokesperson stated, '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.' It seems that Microsoft will need to rethink its approach if it wants to bring Project xCloud to Mac devices.

For now, fans of Xbox games will have to stick to playing on their Android devices or through other means. However, with the success of Game Pass and the growing popularity of cloud gaming services, it's likely that we'll see more developments in this area in the future.

Project xcloud on mac