A few weeks ago, Apple announced changes to how they will do business in their App Store. Most of the changes were to allow for alternative app stores and browsers in the EU. However, one change was made globally that would have been amazing for gamers. That was until Xbox had to go and ruin it.
Earlier, I had wanted to report on Xbox president Sarah Bond’s comments on the matter. Similar to Epic Games and Spotify, two developers who have an ax to grind with Apple, Bond mentioned that Apple’s policies didn’t go far enough to welcome an open market. Microsoft Gaming president Phil Spencer backed her up.
There’s not room for us to monetize Xbox Cloud Gaming on iOS. I think the proposal that Apple put forward — and I thought Sarah Bond’s comments on this were right on — doesn’t go far enough to open up. In fact, you might even say they go the opposite direction in some way, but they definitely don’t go far enough to open up competition on the world’s largest gaming platform.
We will continue to work with regulators, and Apple and Google, to create a space for alternative storefronts. I’m a big fan of how Windows works, and you’ve got a Microsoft Store on Windows, you’ve got Steam, you’ve got the Epic Games Store, you’ve got GOG. You have alternatives, and I think alternative ways for people to buy things creates goodness for consumers and creators. I think the largest platform for gamers, which is mobile, should have the same.”
Microsoft Gaming president Phil Spencer
Now, I may be the only one here, but I feel like this level of stubbornness is not the move. While it is surely within the capitalist nature to get more money from consumers coming and going, I don’t think this would sit well with gamers.
Microsoft was presented a golden opportunity with the ability to release a cloud gaming app on iOS. This was something that was taken away from them back in 2020. Why not give gamers what they are looking for? Why not drive up Game Pass subscriptions if it means that people can play cloud games natively on an app instead of a browser?
I have asked multiple times why we can’t just get some sort of native app on Linux. Make an Electron, Snap, or Flatpak app so I can install it on my Steam Deck. I’m not a developer, but I feel like an iOS app should be easy. You made one 4 years ago.
It just seems asinine that Microsoft won’t do the bare minimum to curry favor with gamers.
But, sure, put your games on a Switch.
Source: MacRumors
I’ll just leave this here… https://www.xbox.com/en-US/play
Also, https://publicsquare.global/@elan/111966786113396137
It works on Linux too!
The issue here is that there isn’t a native app for iOS. As mentioned earlier, Xbox was working on one before Apple shut down all work back in 2020.
I am fully aware of the browser option, but imagine using something other than Webkit to stream video.
It will be a cold day in hell when MS will do anything that makes Linux a more pleasant OS. Hell they created WSL so that you can do more Linux things on Windows. I’m sure Valve’s work on Proton is pissing them off.
It’s not about gamers, protecting their OS dominance tops everything.