The Apple Vs. Epic Lawsuit Has Sparked ‘Xbox Game Pass On Switch’ Rumours Again

The Epic Games vs. Apple lawsuit rumbles on, and is throwing up all kinds of unexpected information. Aside from the fact that Epic’s Tim Sweeney can’t use a Switch properly, we’ve now been given an indication of just how close Nintendo and Microsoft have been getting in recent times.

During the trial, an Xbox business development executive was called to discuss bringing xCloud to iOS, as well as other platforms. Games journalist Stephen Totilo has shared portions of the document, which shows sections that have been heavily redacted. Apparently, Nintendo has requested these portions to be withheld as they contain “competitively sensitive information about negotiations between Nintendo and Microsoft”.

It’s pretty obvious that Nintendo and Microsoft enjoy a healthy professional relationship because the companies have collaborated on various projects in the past – such as Banjo and Kazooie making their way into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. However, given that the portion of the trial directly involves xCloud and it coming to other platforms, it’s fair to assume that the redacted sections relate to Nintendo’s negotiations with Microsoft on this topic.

How far are those negotiations? Are they still ongoing? Perhaps the discussion is already over, and we could see Game Pass come to Switch soon – or alternatively, the conversation has stopped dead and it’s not happening. We might find out in the fullness of time, but at present, there’s no way of knowing what stage things are at between the two companies – we just know that they’ve been talking. Make of that what you will.

Rumours that Game Pass is coming to Switch have been floating around for a while, with Xbox boss Phil Spencer saying he’d love to bring the service to more platforms (before changing his mind and then apparently leaving the door open). Nintendo’s Doug Bowser seemingly poured cold water on the rumours late last year, too, while The NPD Group’s Mat Piscatella has stated his belief that Nintendo “wouldn’t allow” the service on one of its consoles.

Microsoft is currently running a beta program that allows Android and iOS users to access Xbox Cloud Gaming on their devices – and it works “impossibly well”, according to our friends over at Pure Xbox.

What do you think is being discussed? If it’s “competitively sensitive” information, do you think that is a hint that Game Pass could well be coming to Switch, as well as other platforms? Let us know with a comment below.