After years of restricting game streaming apps and services, Apple will now officially allow NVIDIA GeForce and Xbox Cloud Streaming apps. Up until now, gamers had to find a way through the Safari browser on Apple devices to get access to their Xbox Cloud Gaming library and stream the games.
With the decision now in effect, an official app would make it a lot easier for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream titles from the Game Pass library on iPads, iPhones, and Macs. Apple announced the changes in its developer blog, along with several other updates, as part of complying with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Xbox Cloud Gaming Officially Comes to Apple Devices
Apple’s official announcement and changes will be welcomed wholeheartedly by several Xbox gamers. Up until now, those who wished to access the Xbox Game Pass library through the Xbox Cloud Gaming facility on an Apple device had to head to the Xbox website on a Safari browser, create a shortcut to the page with the Game Pass library on the Home Screen, and then access the library from the shortcut.
The inconvenient workaround will no longer be required once the official apps start hitting the App Store. The welcome change will now see developers submit a single app that will have the capability to stream all the games in the library.
While Apple has complied with the EU’s DMA, it will continue to take a cut from any in-app purchases made within the apps. In its blog, Apple mentioned the apps will be allowed to have “mini-apps, mini-games, chatbots, and plug-ins will be able to incorporate Apple’s In-App Purchase system.”
There was also a mention that the changes are being made “to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).”
These changes create new options for developers who distribute apps in any of the 27 EU member states and do not apply to apps distributed anywhere else in the world.
It’s not just Xbox Cloud Gaming that will benefit, as other game streaming services will also join in soon.
Others Who Could Benefit From the Changes
It’s not just Xbox that will benefit from the changes announced by Apple, as NVIDIA GeForce NOW subscribers will also be able to play the games in its catalog through an official app. At the time of writing, the official NVIDIA website still shows the option to play on an Apple device by launching it through a Safari browser.
Fortnite maker Epic Games will also now be launching an official app to let fans play the game without much hassle. It should not take too long for the native apps to start debuting on the App Store, and once they do, it will be interesting to see if the apps will support in-app purchases or if they will appear as standalone streaming apps, keeping in mind Apple’s cut.
At the time of writing, the Xbox Support website instructing players to use the Safari browser or other supported browsers to play Xbox Game Pass titles on an Apple device hasn’t yet been updated.
What do you think of this decision and the other changes and updates? Let us know in the comments below!
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