I don’t know if I buy this. Apple allows VNC apps on their store. Are they planning to launch their own competing service?
Given that Apple allows services like Netflix and Spotify without reviewing every piece of content, why not allow a similar service for gaming? The difference boils down to the medium, according to Apple: Games are interactive, unlike music and film, and there are consumer expectations baked into the App Store related to gaming.
I don’t know if I buy this. Apple allows VNC apps on their store. Are they planning to launch their own competing service?
The app store is a competing service. A juggernaut like steam is not worth the backlash for them to be anticompetitive but they can quash these streaming services now before any one really cares.
The app store is a competing service. A juggernaut like steam is not worth the backlash for them to be anticompetitive but they can quash these streaming services now before any one really cares.
Ah, good point. They don't want to miss out on that sweet 30%/game. And with these being SaaS you could sign up on a different device, log in on your iPad and Apple never sees a cent.
Ah, good point. They don't want to miss out on that sweet 30%/game. And with these being SaaS you could sign up on a different device, log in on your iPad and Apple never sees a cent.
I think VNC/RDP apps get an exception because they are general purpose remote desktop apps. They aren't acting as a thin client for a specific product, they are more broad in that they allow users...
I think VNC/RDP apps get an exception because they are general purpose remote desktop apps. They aren't acting as a thin client for a specific product, they are more broad in that they allow users to remotely control and manage their own systems. Apple similarly allowed SteamLink on the App Store, after Valve removed the store UI from it.
That is not to say I think Apple's treatment of Stadia and xCloud is fair, just that I can see the logical distinction. I think game streaming apps should be given a similar exception.
Apple's main gripe seems to be taking issue with the apps presenting a storefront to buy games through. The Shadow streaming service was allowed because it's literally just a VM and Apple seems...
Apple's main gripe seems to be taking issue with the apps presenting a storefront to buy games through.
The Shadow streaming service was allowed because it's literally just a VM and Apple seems satisfied that there's enough clarity to the user that whatever they're doing there is happening outside the app store and they take no responsibility for it.
This approach is just untenable though. If Apple wants their iOS devices to be serious work machines, thin clients like these are going to be more and more of a thing. They'll need to learn to deal with it.
Nor would they intend to, this isn't about consumer safety and it never has been. Apple wants it's monopoly and at the same time really just doesn't understand or care about gaming.
Nor would they intend to, this isn't about consumer safety and it never has been. Apple wants it's monopoly and at the same time really just doesn't understand or care about gaming.
Although it's true that Apple wants to make sure they get their cut of online sales, I wouldn't say consumer safety has nothing at all to do with it. Quality control is a competitive advantage for...
Although it's true that Apple wants to make sure they get their cut of online sales, I wouldn't say consumer safety has nothing at all to do with it. Quality control is a competitive advantage for Apple's app store. Or at least, perceived quality control.
The app store is full of shit. As is the play store. You can't drown out the internet. But I guess that's what you meant with perceived quality control, or did I read that wrong?
Quality control
The app store is full of shit. As is the play store. You can't drown out the internet.
But I guess that's what you meant with perceived quality control, or did I read that wrong?
I said "perceived" but haven't done a study, and I don't even have an iPhone. But there is probably less malware than if every hacker could do what they want. That's the thing about moderation. It...
I said "perceived" but haven't done a study, and I don't even have an iPhone. But there is probably less malware than if every hacker could do what they want.
That's the thing about moderation. It never works perfectly or even all that well at scale, but it's often better than the junkyard you'd get from not having it. This is one reason people usually shop at stores and not the flea market.
I missed this when it came out a few days ago, but it's directly related: Facebook finally got their Facebook Gaming app approved on iOS, but only after completely removing the "Instant Games"...
“Unfortunately, we had to remove gameplay functionality entirely in order to get Apple’s approval on the standalone Facebook Gaming app — meaning iOS users have an inferior experience to those using Android,” said Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s chief operating officer in a press statement given to The Verge. “We’re staying focused on building communities for the more than 380 million people who play games on Facebook every month — whether Apple allows it in a standalone app or not.”
I don’t know if I buy this. Apple allows VNC apps on their store. Are they planning to launch their own competing service?
The app store is a competing service. A juggernaut like steam is not worth the backlash for them to be anticompetitive but they can quash these streaming services now before any one really cares.
Ah, good point. They don't want to miss out on that sweet 30%/game. And with these being SaaS you could sign up on a different device, log in on your iPad and Apple never sees a cent.
I think VNC/RDP apps get an exception because they are general purpose remote desktop apps. They aren't acting as a thin client for a specific product, they are more broad in that they allow users to remotely control and manage their own systems. Apple similarly allowed SteamLink on the App Store, after Valve removed the store UI from it.
That is not to say I think Apple's treatment of Stadia and xCloud is fair, just that I can see the logical distinction. I think game streaming apps should be given a similar exception.
Apple's main gripe seems to be taking issue with the apps presenting a storefront to buy games through.
The Shadow streaming service was allowed because it's literally just a VM and Apple seems satisfied that there's enough clarity to the user that whatever they're doing there is happening outside the app store and they take no responsibility for it.
This approach is just untenable though. If Apple wants their iOS devices to be serious work machines, thin clients like these are going to be more and more of a thing. They'll need to learn to deal with it.
I wonder if this would lead to more "game within a game" type services. It's not like Apple can review everything that happens within a game.
Nor would they intend to, this isn't about consumer safety and it never has been. Apple wants it's monopoly and at the same time really just doesn't understand or care about gaming.
Although it's true that Apple wants to make sure they get their cut of online sales, I wouldn't say consumer safety has nothing at all to do with it. Quality control is a competitive advantage for Apple's app store. Or at least, perceived quality control.
The app store is full of shit. As is the play store. You can't drown out the internet.
But I guess that's what you meant with perceived quality control, or did I read that wrong?
I said "perceived" but haven't done a study, and I don't even have an iPhone. But there is probably less malware than if every hacker could do what they want.
That's the thing about moderation. It never works perfectly or even all that well at scale, but it's often better than the junkyard you'd get from not having it. This is one reason people usually shop at stores and not the flea market.
I missed this when it came out a few days ago, but it's directly related: Facebook finally got their Facebook Gaming app approved on iOS, but only after completely removing the "Instant Games" functionality that allowed users to play games through it: