Microsoft’s Project XCloud, their direct entry into the cloud streaming service market, is expanding its coverage. In a blog post, Microsoft has announced another new addition coming to the cloud gaming platform. The service has been in beta for a while now, slowly rolling out new features and teasing support for a wide array of Xbox and PC titles. Microsoft has been slow to announce just how the service would work though, and that’s probably a good thing. Expanding into iOS compatibility is something that many fans have wanted since Project XCloud was first revealed. Now, it looks like such a feature has been confirmed.
The rollout to iOS and the Apple App Store has some restrictions though. The Android users of the service have a bit more freedom compared to the new customers. Anyone playing Microsoft’s Project XCloud on iOS devices will be restricted in what games they can play as well as what platforms they can link to.
The iOS TestFlight preview will be completely locked down, with only one game working on the initial launch. Halo: The Master Chief Collection is the only title enabled for Apple players, and Microsoft and Apple will be only allowing 10,000 users into the testing period. Those interested will need a Microsoft account that is connected to an Xbox Gamertag, and a device running iOS 13.0 or later to take part. Also, you need Bluetooth 4.0 to connect said devices to an Xbox One controller to play the available game.
Anyone wanting to get in on the test can register at the Project XCloud Registration site.
So while it’s pretty lame for an initial test, there’s no indication that the iOS run of Microsoft’s Project XCloud will be locked down so tightly when the feature fully launches. This will likely give them another edge over Stadia.
Google Stadia, the other major entrant into the market of cloud-based gaming has been trying to bring users into their sector fo the market, and the progress has been pretty slow. The service for Google has been lacking in both the number of games and the overall features they have. Google will be adding new games like Panzer Dragoon, as well as more than 120 other games to the platform.
