Microsoft and Google’s game streaming services offer access to interactive content Apple can’t review.
Microsoft is launching its xCloud game streaming service on Sept.15 and Google already offers a similar service called Stadia. Neither will ever be available to iPhone and iPad users, though, and Apple has decided to explain why. As Business Insider reports, the reason comes down to a violation of Apple’s App Store policies. Both xCloud and Stadia offers access to over 100 games through their apps, so to be approved for iOS and iPadOS the apps and their content need to be approved by Apple. However, while the apps can be reviewed, none of the games offered by either service can, which is where the problem arises. “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,” an Apple spokesperson explains, “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.
