Microsoft has accused Apple of blocking cloud gaming on iOS. The tech giant said the App Store changes are not enough to allow the launch of its own Xbox Cloud Gaming app. Microsoft warns that Apple’s requirements prevent the developer from making money from cloud gaming.
In a letter sent to the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Microsoft has filed charges of violating App Store policies. The tech company points out that the changes Apple implemented in early 2024 remove certain restrictions for cloud gaming apps, but they are not enough.
“Microsoft notes that despite Apple’s changes to the guidelines between January and March 2024, many of them still pose a barrier to first-party cloud gaming apps,” the letter said. “Game Catalog apps that include third-party games cannot comply with these guidelines (for both technical and economic reasons).”
In the letter, Microsoft refers to two App Store guidelines. The first (3.1.1) Prevents native apps from including external links that allow you to purchase products or services.While the Digital Markets Act makes it easier for third-party stores to operate and provides links to alternative payment methods, its application is limited to Europe. This means users in the UK and the rest of the world must adhere to the official rules.
Because the Xbox Cloud Gaming native app must perform all transactions using Apple’s system, Microsoft will have to pay a 30% commissionThe tax is “set at a level that is neither economically sustainable nor justifiable,” Microsoft says.
Apple Didn’t Do Enough to Open App Store, Blames Microsoft
One of the topics that has dominated headlines in recent years is the fee that Apple charges for App Store transactions. Users living outside the European Economic Area cannot take advantage of the DMA and access third-party stores or third-party stores. FortniteMicrosoft and other companies want to change that and are relying on regulators.
In case of cloud gaming Apple says developers can choose web appIn a letter to the CMA, the Cupertino-based company mentioned that they have “consistently supported gaming in all its forms,” and as a result, it has gained traction on iOS.
“Cloud gaming, like other types of gaming apps, benefits from Apple’s investments in hardware and software, as well as its efforts to ensure that the iOS platform is an attractive environment for gaming apps, either in the form of a native iOS app or a native iOS web app.”
Problem with The downside of web apps is that they don’t have the same benefits as native apps. Microsoft notes that these apps have limited functionality due to WebKit requirements. “Given the limitations of web app availability, the ban on alternative app stores for iOS represents a significant barrier to adoption,” he said.
The letters from Microsoft and Apple are part of the CMA’s investigation into mobile browsers and cloud gaming services via apps.
Source: Hiper Textual
I’m Ben Stock, a highly experienced and passionate journalist with a career in the news industry spanning more than 10 years. I specialize in writing content for websites, including researching and interviewing sources to produce engaging articles. My current role is as an author at Gadget Onus, where I mainly cover the mobile section.
