Microsoft is preparing gamers for the launch of Project xCloud on September 15. People who want to see what cloud gaming is all about could head to the Google Play Store to download xCloud’s beta version. Cloud gaming allows people to stream full console games on their phones through wi-fi.

Project xCloud’s Public Beta

As the launch date approaches, Microsoft wants gamers to experience a smooth transition to the full Project xCloud. However, only subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can enjoy the public beta version. Xbox Insiders can only preview the app. 

Microsoft said that Project xCloud would only be available on Android. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can play around 30 titles on xCloud’s beta version. Gamers can play 100 games on the full version of Project xCloud, which include:

•     Destiny 2
•     Forza Horizon 4
•     Gears of War 4
•     Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
•     Minecraft Dungeons
•     Halo 5: Guardians
•     Yakuza Kiwami 2
  

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can try xCloud in beta today https://t.co/zX4fNSGrRE pic.twitter.com/Lt0r6Eti7Q

— Engadget (@engadget) August 11, 2020

What Else Can I Do?

Once you get the full Project xCloud, you can play games across your platforms without hitches. For example, you can start a game on your tablet or phone, and then pick it up again on your Xbox. Project xCloud allows players a new way to experience their favorite Xbox games. Your achievements also reflect on all your devices. You also get to keep your friends list, controller settings, and game saves. 

When Can I Play?

If you want to try Project xCloud’s beta version, you can download it now on the Google Play Store. Again, though, you will have to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $15 a month to play the games.

Project xCloud’s preview period will end on September 11.

The post Microsoft Launches Project xCloud Public Beta first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

With Project xCloud not on iOS devices, Microsoft now blames Apple for denying its users from streaming games to their mobile devices. Microsoft had begun beta testing for Project xCloud for iOS using Apple’s TestFlight, but the testing period ended this week.  

Project xCloud: Microsoft vs. Apple

Gizmodo reports that Microsoft used to be hopeful that Apple would allow Project xCloud “and other cloud gaming services” on iOS devices. However, with iOS beta testing over, Microsoft now blames Apple for the lack of cloud gaming services on iOS. 

In a statement, Microsoft said that it doesn’t see a way to bring cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to iOS gamers. The company also accused Apple of applying a double standard against gaming apps. 

As of now, Apple doesn’t support Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce, or Project xCloud.

Apple is denying consumers cloud gaming, Microsoft claims https://t.co/PgKrT8Ugta pic.twitter.com/GTMR9uFB8X

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) August 7, 2020

Project xCloud: App Store Policies

According to Gizmodo, App Store policies prevent some apps from appearing in the store. One of these policies is submitting games to Apple for individual review. This policy hinders cloud gaming apps that offer dozens of titles. 

Apple told Business Insider that Project xCloud and other cloud gaming apps violate App Store policy. The company added that Microsoft doesn’t submit each game on Project xCloud to Apple review, so it blocked the app itself.  

Project xCloud: Apple’s Antitrust Issues

Apple has faced charges of blocking out potential rivals from the App Store. For Apple, allowing Project xCloud might threaten its game subscription service. However, the problem is that Microsoft is not a team of indie devs, but a tech giant with the resources to fight back.

Project xCloud will launch on Android devices only on September 15.

The post Microsoft Blames Apple for Shutting Out Project xCloud first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Xbox gamers who want to try out Microsoft’s Project xCloud on their iOS devices might have to stick with Android for a while. Microsoft has announced that it has closed xCloud’s testing period for iOS. Project xCloud will come out on Android devices on September 15. 

Project xCloud Not Allowed on Apple’s App Store

The Verge reports that Apple’s rules for the App Store may have barred Microsoft from testing the xCloud app. Following the App Store’s policies, Microsoft was only able to check  Halo: The Master Chief Collection for only 10,000 people. 

Microsoft isn’t the only tech giant facing roadblocks at the App Store. Project xCloud’s rival, Google’s Stadia, only offers a Stadia management app for iOS devices. Gamers can’t stream games on this Stadia app. 

Even the Steam Link app, from Valve, waited a year before Apple approved it for the App Store. The Verge says it’s unclear why Steam Link had to wait for a year since the app only streams games from home PCs to iOS.

Xbox's new streaming service doesn't look likely for iPhone, iPad users. https://t.co/GPyHvGl5cl pic.twitter.com/KBgVDJl8Yw

— Kotaku (@Kotaku) August 6, 2020

Possible App Store Roadblocks for Project xCloud

Kotaku also says that the App Store has a lot of policies that could have limited Microsoft’s xCloud testing. From those policies, the Verge says Microsoft could have faced difficulties with the App Store’s rules on in-app purchases. Apple also forces “remote desktop clients” to connect to another user-owned game console. Both the phone and console should be connected to the same network, too. 

Microsoft could work around the in-app purchase rule, but they probably could not overcome the “remote desktop client” rule. 

Project xCloud on Android Devices

On September 15, Microsoft will officially launch Project xCloud as part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for Android devices only.  

The post Microsoft’s Project xCloud Won’t Come Out on iOS After All first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Play your favorite console games on your phones and tablets with Microsoft’s Project xCloud, releasing this September 15. Only Android devices can stream games through xCloud on launch day.

Subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can test out the new feature when it drops. The cloud gaming service for Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass for PC and console. Even with xCloud, a Game Pass Ultimate subscription still costs $14.99. Microsoft announced the game streaming platform in 2018. 

Project xCloud: Stream Console Games on Mobile

Polygon reports that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers on Android can play “more than 100 games from the cloud.” Gamers on Android can sign up for Project xCloud’s beta testing period before Microsoft rolls it out worldwide.

Gamers on iOS devices will have to wait for Microsoft to finish testing iOS versions. The company had begun testing Project xCloud for iOS in February.

Microsoft’s streaming service, xCloud, launching in September https://t.co/HuF2hl7Yln pic.twitter.com/sQSnYO9FG2

— Polygon (@Polygon) August 4, 2020

Project xCloud: PC Gamers Can Enjoy It, Too

On the other hand, Microsoft won’t keep PC gamers hanging. If you can’t wait for the PC ports of your favorite console games, Microsoft will bring over the project to Windows 10 PCs this year. 

Project xCloud: What Games Can I Stream?

Microsoft hasn’t released its full catalog of games on the platform yet, but Polygon lists some of the games you can play on launch day:

•     Destiny 2
•     Forza Horizon 4
•     Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
•     Gears of War 4
•     Halo: The Master Chief Collection
•     Minecraft Dungeons
•     The Outer Worlds
•     Yakuza Kiwami 2

European gamers, along with players from Canada, South Korea, the UK, and the US can access Project xCloud upon launch. If you’re still in the free preview period, you’ll have to end your trial by September 11.   

The post Microsoft Sets Project XCloud Launch Date on September 15 first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold