Apple clashes with Microsoft, Google and Facebook over cloud games

Mommy and Daddy are fighting again – which I mean, the big tech companies are fighting over their ventures in mobile gaming. This time, Microsoft, Google and Facebook are taking Apple’s responsibility for their restrictive app policies, which may prevent some gamers from playing games on their iPhones and iPads.

As you may know, several tech companies are trying to get their cloud games off the ground. The concept is that you can play your games anywhere, on one of your devices instead of being tied to one console. Even if you are not completely sold on the idea, you have to admit that it would be quite interesting to try the new one. Gears of War or maybe Destiny 2 on your phone as a smart TV. Microsoft has all but rolled out its cloud gaming service, xCloud, which arrives to Xbox Game Pass subscribers in late September. Google launched its version, Stadia, last year.

You can play more than 100 great games on your Android mobile device from the cloud (Beta) with @XboxGamePass Finally. Available September 15 in select markets. Https://t.co/1uo77AwZCi pic.twitter.com/BFcJzGmqHP

– Xbox (@Xbox) August 4, 2020

Unfortunately, we now know that, thanks to Apple, there is at least one set of devices where you can not play your cloud game. Due to restrictions on the App Store, Stadia and xCloud will not be available for download soon.

Microsoft published a preview for xCloud on iOS, but has since revealed that it will not be returning to Apple devices for the foreseeable future. To be more specific, Xbox Game Pass will not be available as a dedicated app, which means you will not be able to access xCloud through the app, as you will soon on Android. Similarly, Google Stages has never appeared in the App Store, except for a previously pointless account app that lets you do nothing. Ditto for the app for Nvidia GeForce Now, another cloud gaming service – it’s only Android, and when asked by Bloomberg why the app was not available on iOS, a spokesman replied, “Ask Apple.”

A spokesman for Apple justified the decision in a statement to Business Insider, saying:Our customers enjoy great apps and games from millions of developers, and gaming services can definitely launch on the ‌App Store‌, as long as they follow the same set of guidelines that apply to all developers, including submitting games individually for review, and appear in charts and search. It also allowed apps like Steam Link and PS4 Remote Play in the App Store (though the developers of those apps had to fight a bit).

So where does Facebook fit it in? Facebook has been trying for a while to get its standalone Facebook Gaming app in the App Store. It has been denied several times because the app adopts the rule in violation of apps that are dedicated storefronts for things like games. As COO Sheryl Sandberg told the New York Times: “Unfortunately, we had to completely remove gameplay functionality to get Apple’s approval on the stand-alone Facebook Gaming app. “Of course, that does not mean that Facebook is not happy with Apple’s limitations.

What the reason Apple does this is the prevailing theory that it is trying to keep the focus on its own software. In addition to its Arcade subscription service, Apple also makes money from individual games sold through the App Store. That an app that essentially gives you the chance to buy and play games can rob Apple of the chance to get them. Whether that’s true or not, it seems like Apple is a bit strictly regarding gaming services from other technical companies.

However, at least Microsoft is apparently not giving up on its goal of getting xCloud on iPhones. A spokesman for The Verge said: “We are committed to finding a way to bring cloud games with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to the iOS platform. We believe the customer should be at the heart of the gaming experience and gamers tell us they want to play, connect and share everywhere, no matter where they are. “

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