Microsoft and Apple Seemed to Have Ended Their War Over Cloud Gaming, but the Fight Is More Intense Than Ever

Until a few months ago, Apple’s policies for its App Store made it virtually impossible to access cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia’s GeForce Now. As The Verge reports, an overhaul earlier this year seemed to open the App Store to these platforms, but the results haven’t been what people expected.

Now, the war is intensifying.

Why it matters. Even with the announced changes, Microsoft and Nvidia are still not launching native cloud gaming apps for iOS. Microsoft claims Apple’s policies remain an obstacle despite their apparent openness.

In detail. Microsoft argues that several provisions continue to limit its capability to distribute and operate a native Xbox Cloud Gaming app on iOS:

• Apple’s ~30% commission for in-app purchases makes it “economically unsustainable” to monetize the service.
• Third-party game developers must redesign their games to meet the requirements for in-app purchases.
• There are also restrictions on linking to external subscriptions.

The other side. Apple, on the other hand, claims that:

• It enables cloud gaming through web apps.
• It cites the success of Xbox Cloud Gaming, with “over 20 million users.”
• It states that developers “typically have no difficulty” with its requirements, citing the launch of Antstream as an example.

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In this regard, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the distribution of cloud gaming services through app stores and is considering several possible solutions:

• Allow them to operate without in-app purchases.
• Force Apple (and Google) to allow alternative payment methods.
• Remove certain technical restrictions in Apple’s policies.

The CMA will publish an interim report in November and a final report around February or March 2025.

In perspective. This dispute, which remains unresolved, is evidence of the tensions between major technology companies over control of mobile platforms and content distribution.

Given the improved connectivity and benefits that cloud gaming brings that transcend local power, the outcome of this battle will have implications for the future of mobile gaming.

Image | Tekeshwar Singh (Unsplash)

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