Apple has just published the new App Store guidelines and luckily game streaming services have reason to celebrate. Google Stadia, GeForce Now (NVIDIA) and xCloud (Microsoft) platforms were previously blocked from running their services on iOS due to "apple" game app policies. However, with the changes made now to the gaming application requirements, it will be possible to run games from streaming services smoothly on iPhone.
While the ability to play games from Google Stadia, xCloud and GeForce Now is good news, on iOS, Apple will require game apps to be downloaded individually from the App Store. The rules say:
"Games offered on a streaming game service subscription must be downloaded directly from the App Store, must be designed to avoid double payment by a subscriber, and must not harm non-subscribing customers."
Apple even says in its rules that:
"Game streaming services may offer a catalog app on the App Store to help users sign up for the service and find the games on the App Store, as long as the app meets all guidelines, including offering users the option to pay for a subscription with purchase and use in the Sign in with Apple app. All games included in the catalog app must link to an individual App Store product page."
Last month Apple even limited game streaming services on the grounds that the company needed to review its policies to approve each title (game) individually (these rules don't apply to streaming services like Spotify and Netflix). Now, after updating the policies, it will at least be possible to play games on iPhones, although it will be necessary to download them individually for each desired game.
Apple is in conflict with several mobile game developers and publishers
Apple has been getting a lot of criticism from developers and publishers of games for the App Store for some time now. It is likely that one of the conflicts you already know very well about: the case of Epic Games and its Fortnite app on the Apple app store, from which the game was removed for violating App Store policies. Microsoft and Facebook even spoke out supporting Epic Games in the cause.
What do you think of Apple's decision regarding gaming policies on its mobile app store? Comment below and share your opinion with us!
