Microsoft Still Unhappy With iOS Cloud Gaming Rules
Back in January, when Apple first shared its new App Store guidelines that allowed cloud streaming apps, it was expected that these would pave the way for services like Xbox Cloud Gaming to debut.
Over half a year later, there’s been no news on Microsoft’s front about an upcoming release.
A new report by Tom Warren at The Verge helps explain why. It points to a late July submission Microsoft made to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
As the public but redacted submission outlines, Microsoft believes that, despite January’s changes, Apple still makes it impossible for cloud gaming services to exist on the App Store.
Microsoft’s chief complaint is that the App Store rules require subscriptions and features to be made available on iOS devices with in-app purchase, which is “not feasible.” A consumption-only situation where content is purchased on another platform and played on iOS is not allowed for cloud gaming apps.
Apple’s 30 percent commission fee “makes it impossible” for Microsoft to monetize its cloud gaming service, and it is neither “economically sustainable nor justifiable.”
Microsoft also complains about Apple’s lack of support for alternative app stores and the limitations of web apps, such as an inability to access device hardware features.
I obviously agree with this.
However coming from Microsoft who charges 30% for all games on Xbox without any alternative allowed. And charging a monthly fee just to access your own internet just undermine their arguments.
[…]
However, like for the printers-cartridges business model, the only way to make [selling hardware at a loss] work is to forbid competition which is illegal.
Previously:
- UK CMA vs. Apple’s Browser Rules
- UK Antitrust Lawsuit Over App Store Fees
- Streaming Games in a Single App
- Apple Appeals UK CMA Decision
- Apple Responds to UK CMA Interim Report
- CMA Report on Apple Cloud Gaming Restrictions
