Xbox Game Pass launches on iPhone, iPad

Xbox has launched a Safari-compatible version of its Game Pass streaming service on iPhone, and select controller partners are offering three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for free.

Xbox Game Pass exits closed beta testing, and is now available via Safari on iPhone and iPad to all Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Users can stream games and play with their touch screen or external controllers.

Apple doesn't allow native game streaming apps on iOS or iPadOS, but Microsoft is able to run Game Pass from the Safari browser. Like with Nvidia GeForce Now, users need only add the streaming service website to their Home Screen for easy access to the service.

Once added, Game Pass will appear as an app icon and launch a Safari window without the usual UI surrounding the page. Then, users will only need to log in to their account to begin playing games.

Alongside the Game Pass launch, Xbox has partnered with select controller retailers for a special offer. Those who purchase the Backbone One or new Razer Kishi will get three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Both controllers snap onto a user's iPhone and connects via Lightning. They transforms the iPhone into a facsimile-gaming handheld complete with a game launching system through a dedicated app.

The Razer Kishi grips the iPhone with its attachment system

Both controllers offer similar functionality and attachment mechanisms. The difference will lie in customer preference — the Kishi having thicker chassis and grip versus the Backbone One being slimmer, but less compact for carrying.

The Backbone One can be purchased for $99 through the Backbone website. The Razer Kishi can be purchased via Razer's website.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is normally $14.99 per month and can be cancelled at any time.

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20 Comments

Beats 3073 comments · 4 Years

About 3 years ago

Those are some nice controller attachments. Usually these companies have no style.

Xxterrorizexx 1 comment · 5 Years

My xcloud still says it’s a beta build
just checked now….
still in beta ?

sagan_student 187 comments · 15 Years

It looks like this is the, often predicted, start to the decline of console gaming. Consoles will continue to become more and more ubiquitous from here on out. Considering all that is at stake with this transition, I’m very interested in seeing how Nintendo handles it.

Inspired by, but not related to the article.

This actually made me see Epic’s side of it. I totally appreciate that many of you have already articulated this, but I feel like I can now too; and this is me just getting it out. Critiques welcome.

The way I’m seeing it now, is that Epic has amassed the means to support their own distribution, storage, etc.; and in doing so, they can save money. So their argument is based on the fact that they don’t need Apple’s expertise or storage or whatever, for any of that, save for development tools (however I do think that development tools are something that should be paid by Apple. If they want people to build apps for them then they need to develop that.). Them doing it themselves saves money.

But, I am failing to see the endgame. So epic does this and then offers other companies games and apps in their store, making it easier for them to offset their development costs because they are charging for their services. And IMO, putting them at an advantage over the other developers that they are hosting.

The problem with this is where does it end? All of these companies are software companies. They would not exist without hardware. And now, they want to open a store based solely on code with nothing tangible to a physical product.

This new perspective still doesn’t change my position, I still side with Apple. However, I do think that there could be a clause that says the cost to play is 15% or pay for your own (edit: but unable to host others [is this side-loading?]) save for an annual fee.

tpurdy 40 comments · 15 Years

Very excited about this, but can someone please break down the pros and cons for me? I assume there are latency issues (especially if I’m playing over cell service, although I do live in a 5G / 5GUW area), but is it enough to affect the quality of gaming? If I play multiplayer and keep dying, can I blame the cloud or am I really just that bad?

Long story short - I just bought an Xbox Series X, and other than getting 4K when connected directly to my TV, what advantages does the console give me now that I can play on my iPhone and iPad?

Thanks my peeps!!

foregoneconclusion 2836 comments · 12 Years

tpurdy said: Long story short - I just bought an Xbox Series X, and other than getting 4K when connected directly to my TV, what advantages does the console give me now that I can play on my iPhone and iPad?

The proper way to view the mobile version of Game Pass is that it's essentially a Greatest Hits collection of older Xbox titles. So you're going to have Halo, Gears of War, Forza, Fable, Fallout, Elder Scrolls + a few 3rd party classics like GTA V and No Mans Sky. Microsoft doesn't have an incentive to undercut Series X sales, so they're going to limit what mobile users have access to.