cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
LeoX
Founder
Founder

Why does Stadia not support Apple products?

Check this reddit post HERE.

An user just. dropped a bomb, making Stadia enjoyable even on Apple products. 

Why does Google / Stadia team does not. support this officially? Check the post. It's very awarded. 

I'm just curious. 

2 Kudos
8 Replies
BryanEVOLVED
Founder
Founder

The blame falls on Apple for this one. 

The policies Apple currently employs would require Google, Microsoft, etc to submit each game to the App Store for rating, searchability within the App Store and most importantly to Apple - the 30% profit cut. 

And as for why they can't use a web browser, currently the codec Stadia runs on (which I believe is VP9) is not compatible with Safari. 

2 Kudos
JohnZoidberg
Gold Stadia Guide
Gold Stadia Guide

Apple's latest guidelines actually say quite clearly that using a browser is an alternative to following their App Store submission requirements. That's how Luna works, and Apple has no issue with it. BTW, Stadia supports both VP9 and H.264 codecs (the latter being one that Apple has supported for a long time). More recent versions of Safari/Webkit do support VP9, as well (iOS 14 does, and macOS 11 will). However, the technology that is most likely making the difference here is support for the QUIC protocol, which is what Stadia uses to transport the video stream. That was only recently added to Safari/Webkit.
Why not Zoidberg?
2 Kudos
Michele
Founder
Founder

It's the other way around, Leo! It's Apple that is preventing Stadia to work on its platform, because they want to make sure they get their share out of the business.

They're starting to open things somehow lately, though. Signals are encouraging :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Kudo
DaRkViVi
Founder
Founder

I'm quite sure they can figure out a way to run it with a compatible codec through Safari like Luna will do.

0 Kudos
LordVivec
Founder
Founder

It will come now that a path has been made.  I am pleasantly surprised how nice it is to play Hitman on an iPad.  Didn't expect that.

0 Kudos
MisterMarcoo
Founder
Founder

I'm just gonna throw it out, although I think it is a very unpopular OPINION.

Yes, it's Apple that is blocking it and I am for 99,99% sure it has to do with money. We as players don't like this of course, cause we want to experience the freedom Stadia is promising (which is working out quite well!). And that is the whole problem: we want that freedom, but in case of games, I have a feeling we never really had that. 

I could be wrong of course, but you can also not play Halo on a Playstation. Or Crash Bandicoot on Xbox. It's not entirely the same, but gaming platforms (software) has always been restricted to the hardware. You can buy a PC game, but not play it on Mac. You can buy an xbox game, but not play it on Playstation. I have a feeling this is a little bit the same: you can not play a Stadia game on iOS.

If I am selling Hugo Boss clothing in my store and I don't want to sell Gucci, that's my decision, right? To be honest: I would say "if Apple doesn't want it on their platform, it's their right". Just as we have the right to buy another phone. :winking_face:

Besides that. I can totally imagine that a company like Apple doesn't like it if you put a FREE app in THEIR store, only to be selling games through that platform. You would say: "yeah, well, just use Apple's In-App purchases and be done with it", but 30% cut is of course a lot. AND don't forget: you can also buy your games using the Chrome Browser or an Android device. So theoratically I can buy all my games on my desktop and play them on my iPad, while Apple is making no money at all, BUT they are providing the store, security, etc.

I do believe Apple has a monopoly on their own platform, but it's their platform. Just as Sony has it on their Playstation and Microsoft on their Xbox. Don't get me wrong, I want Stadia on my iPad as well, but I have to be fair: if Apple doesn't want to sell in their store, I think it's their right. And I am no fan of Apple whatsoever. If there was a great Android tablet to buy here in NL I would. But there is just none as good as an iPad imo.

Rant over, game on! Let's patiently wait and see if these tech giants will play ball.

Roses are red, Gaming is fun. You are carrying too much, to be able to run!
1 Kudo
lordkensal
Founder
Founder

Maybe they do - and are looking at the (tech/legal) ramifications of creating an official app. Good to know that it has been shown to work.... 

1 Kudo
GraceFromGoogle
Community Member

Hi @LeoX, friendly reminder that this is not a Founders-specific support forum and all support inquiries (including specific feature requests) should be directed towards the main forum. I'll be moving this post out of the Founders Hub to give all Stadia Community members the opportunity to chime in.

Thanks for understanding!

0 Kudos