It's all kicking off now! Over the past 24 hours-or-so, Microsoft and Apple have been trading statements in regards to the latter's App Store policies, which are currently preventing Project xCloud from launching on iOS.
Earlier today, Microsoft criticised Apple as "the only general purpose platform to deny consumers from cloud gaming and game subscription services like Xbox Game Pass," and now Facebook has also issued a similar statement to The Verge in regards to its Facebook Gaming app.
Here's what the company had to say in its press statement:
“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. 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.”
Facebook says that it appealed one of Apple's App Store guidelines under the new app review process announced at WWDC back in June, but it didn't receive a response from the company.
Facebook Gaming chief Vivek Sharma also added the following:
“This is shared pain across the games industry, which ultimately hurts players and devs and severely hamstrings innovation on mobile for other types of formats, like cloud gaming.”
In related news, Xbox fans have begun a petition to encourage Apple to approve Project xCloud on iOS devices, which has a couple of hundred signatures at the time of writing. We'll keep a close eye on it!
What do you make of this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
[source theverge.com]
Comments 12
Apple has always been driven by locking consumers into it's ecosystem, whether they like it or not.
I am keen to see how this plays out though, Apple can easily afford to stick to its guns but for how long remains to be seen.
Google had a similar battle getting Prime Video to support Chromecast for ages.
Apple are like Sony. They have a huge market share and an extremely brand loyal customer base. As a result, they don't want to cooperate, they want to dominate.
I'd just remove support, and leave them behind. When more and more people are cross gaming across Xbox, PC, and Android, the iPhone and PS platforms will look less and less attractive for gamers.
@Richnj I wouldn't say Sony are bad like Apple. Apple are on a whole other level when it comes to restrictions on content.
My next phone will not be an iPhone.
Glad to see Facebook agree with Xbox to stand up against the big bad Apple!!
Facebook is the last company in the world who should be throwing any shade at another company...
The chances are that Microsoft makes more money on micro transaction than it does on game pass subs. Apple certainly makes more money on micro transaction than it does on the sale of software on its App Store.
Maybe the solution is to increase the prices on Apple devices so that the consumer pays 30% more. Then Apple and Microsoft can both take their cuts.
Facebook can go bleep away. Their practices are some of the ones that have always made me do a second take and always end up agreeing with Apple. FB is precisely the kind of company that you don’t want to run wild doing anything they want in the ecosystems.
Too many use Facebook and feel forced to download it, and they would and have taken advantage of this in a heartbeat.
I entirely got off FB earlier this year, if I was still a user, I would not dare get an Android phone, as I simply would not trust the FB app without Apple lockdown in place.
The xCloud app is a whole different thing here, and FB trying to piggy back in this controversy is disgusting.
Apple are shady
@Richnj They also have some of the dumbest customers.
I pity the moron who uses an iPhone. The phone for hipsters, nothing more.
I don't think Facebook is allowed to criticise anyone...
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