Apple Updates App Store Review Guidelines to Allow Streaming Game Services That Submit Each Game to the App Store [Updated]

[ader42]

if you want to game stream use shadow.tech, that works within apple’s rules as far as I can tell...

 

[0092762]

I’m pretty sure Apple know all about the weird pedo, beastiality and rape hentai porn games Steam has been famous for in the past and do not want the like on Apple devices, eapecially via the app store.

That is why they want to review each and every game, and as a parent I applaud this.

At least Netflix and Amazon Prime only show legal material.

Anyone remember when the app belonging to a swimsuit store wasn’t allowed?

So much wrong in this post.

1. Steam blocks all illegal games containing rape/pedo stuff like that and so does any major gaming storefront like Microsoft, Stadia, Playstation Now, Geforce Now, etc.
2. Here's some soft core porn you can legally buy/rent watch on your iPhone right now through the Amazon Prime Video app: https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/services/amazon-prime-video-porn/

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

Alright Apple, we get it. You don’t want ANY top rated games to be played on any iOS, iPadOS, or macOS device.

 

[farewelwilliams]

who cares about iPhone? I want this stuff on Apple TV.

the benefit is portability. otherwise most would just use their xbox or pc

 

[m7ammed]

Ok so they way I understand it is:

- the app representing the game is just a container that would maybe using the sign in from the main library app to log you in. then the stream happens within that container.
- This would allow me to set screen time restriction for my kid and only him to play games that are rated for his age using the general iOS parental restrictions.

it would be basically be like creating a web shortcut to a website on the home screen with added benefits of ratings, restrictions, reviews...etc that I’m used to on the App Store.

nobody is going to download a 100 titles, but even if I did would allow me to stream the game directly without going into the library app.

This theoretically work for all parties, and give iOS users a good users experience that they are used too, no?

Also I would think MS and google were in discussions with Apple about these guidelines, no?

 

[SteveLV702]

this logic I think each and every video on YouTube should have had to be submitted for approval first. Games are at least rated by a rating board. YouTube Videos are not rated or reviewed yet they get a free pass... with that being said also not every single movie/tv show on Netflix, VuDu, Prime Video, etc had to be submitted for approval first...

 

[Rogifan]

I’m pretty sure Apple know all about the weird pedo, beastiality and rape hentai porn games Steam has been famous for in the past and do not want the like on Apple devices, eapecially via the app store.

That is why they want to review each and every game, and as a parent I applaud this.

At least Netflix and Amazon Prime only show legal material.

Anyone remember when the app belonging to a swimsuit store wasn’t allowed?

What about Safari?

Also I would think MS and google were in discussions with Apple about these guidelines, no?

Hmm..good question. Jason Snell seems to think Google and Microsoft will never agree to them. And someone from The Verge got a no comment when they asked Google about them.

 

[4jasontv]

The problem isn't that there are differences but that there are very strong similarities. Using one of your examples, yes driving a motorcycle and a car are very different but you need a license and insurance to drive either legally, at least in the United States. I could go on and on about the similarities between the two.

In that same fashion there are stark similarities between streaming music, video, and video games. In all three cases you have a situation where constantly varying content is streamed from an app where only the app is reviewed by Apple, the content is not.

I believe the truth is that Apple is trying to hamper competition in the video game arena space and they can afford to keep services like xCloud off of iOS because they are new and not yet popular. Streaming services for music and video content is already so popular that having them removed from the app store would lead to a significant loss of customers.

But in the US in spite of the similarities you still need either a motorcycle licence or an endorsement functionally making approval different than driving a car. I think it's honorable that Apple wants to keep streaming gaming in check. Like you said, it's a lot easier to add features than to remove them. And streaming games has to many unknowns right now.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Not good enough.
[automerge]1599851620[/automerge]

I’m pretty sure Apple know all about the weird pedo, beastiality and rape hentai porn games Steam has been famous for in the past and do not want the like on Apple devices, eapecially via the app store.

That is why they want to review each and every game, and as a parent I applaud this.

At least Netflix and Amazon Prime only show legal material.

Anyone remember when the app belonging to a swimsuit store wasn’t allowed?

Wait till you see what’s on reddit.

 

[happyprozak]

So much wrong in this post.

1. Steam blocks all illegal games containing rape/pedo stuff like that and so does any major gaming storefront like Microsoft, Stadia, Playstation Now, Geforce Now, etc.
2. Here's some soft core porn you can legally buy/rent watch on your iPhone right now through the Amazon Prime Video app: https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/services/amazon-prime-video-porn/

If Amazon wasn't the giant that it is and movie streaming was just starting in 2020, I believe Apple would pull a similar move with video streaming.

Amazon though is a juggernaut, so much so that Apple even let them circumvent the app store payment policy with a special deal.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Except it is not, it depends on your connection, your wifi... just another person who thinks his experience is everyones experience. It also has nothing to do with the topic, who cares about your lazy opinion, its about Apple requiring a STREAMING service to make the games downloadable....defeating the purpose of it being a streaming service.

except, i tried over ethernet, not wifi, for many different services (Onlive, Geforce Now, Stadia, Playstation Now) on other devices. still awful.

and if you calculate the minimum latency that’s physically possible for a game streaming service, you’ll still end up around 70-100ms of input lag on the iPhone (that’s not even accounting for multiplayer latency from cloud to multiplayer servers). bet you didn’t calculate that, did you? talk about “lazy opinions”. speak for yourself.


feel free to reply but i’m not talking to someone who throws insults around with 0 facts.

 

[Physicsdummy]

Ok so they way I understand it is:

- the app representing the game is just a container that would maybe using the sign in from the main library app to log you in. then the stream happens within that container.
- This would allow me to set screen time restriction for my kid and only him to play games that are rated for his age using the general iOS parental restrictions.

it would be basically be like creating a web shortcut to a website on the home screen with added benefits of ratings, restrictions, reviews...etc that I’m used to on the App Store.

nobody is going to download a 100 titles, but even if I did would allow me to stream the game directly without going into the library app.

This theoretically work for all parties, and give iOS users a good users experience that they are used too, no?

Also I would think MS and google were in discussions with Apple about these guidelines, no?

But the thing is why? Does any other streaming app (Netflix, Prime, Hulu, all the cable networks) require each individual show to have their own listening that can be controlled by all those metrics?

Just like those apps you are aware you can set up parental controls and restrictions in the app itself, if it makes it easier imagine xCloud or Stadia like being the game console itself in the cloud, all those functions already exist within the services themselves.

 

[ohmydays]

But those are still native apps. They just happen to be exclusive to a subscription service. What Apple seems to be saying here is xCloud can’t be it’s own app library and all the apps that are part of that service need to be listed in Apple’s App Store. Why? They’re not iOS apps that will be running natively on the device.

They can just have the “downloaded” app stream the game when it’s opened. It’s not hard.

 

[4jasontv]

I must admit I'm still a bit confused on what Apple's plan is here; I suspect we'll see Apple provide more information eventually. 4jasontv, your comments are helpful here. I'd add that it also allows Apple to shut down a particular game if it is found to have Malware (probably after release in the App Store), cause problems for the system, has in appropriate content, etc. I suspect it will, also, carry content ratings consistent with the App Store, which might benefit some. If they didn't have one app per game, they could only shutdown the entire game streaming platform (or they'd have to wait on coordinating with the streaming platform).

I think a lot of people here have a philosophy where they don't want Apple to have any control. There isn't really a counter argument to that philosophy. Someone has to have control and it will not be the end user. For me I would rather have one person responsible that I can hold accountable to actions than to have to manage hundreds of developers who might just launch a title and then abandon it.

We just have to look at Steam to decide that is a bad plan. As developers have pushed for more control the market has become fragmented, sales have decreased, and support has become fragmented.

 

[happyprozak]

But in the US in spite of the similarities you still need either a motorcycle licence or an endorsement functionally making approval different than driving a car. I think it's honorable that Apple wants to keep streaming gaming in check. Like you said, it's a lot easier to add features than to remove them. And streaming games has to many unknowns right now.

The point is that you still need to go through testing and obtain a license whether you are driving a car or a motorcycle and you still have to follow similar rules on the road. You still have to stop at stop signs, you still have to stop at red lights, etc. etc.

That you think it's honorable that Apple wants to keep game streaming in check is absolutely laughable. Too many unknowns? Technology is full of unknowns.

What types of things do you possible think might happen with game streaming that would harm users?

 

[Physicsdummy]

And thinking about it, games come and go on Game Pass because of Publisher deals, can you imagine have to creating individual apps for each and every game and then removing them once the publisher decides that the game pass period is over.

And then if they come back to the Pass, having to republish the app? Asinine.

 

[swagi]

So basically you don‘t have a clue what you’re talking about yet think you need to share your opinion.
So I feel free to tell you that my opinion on the matter is that Apple legal just sucks and is anti-consumer.

There is actually no fundamental reason other than greed and the fear of Apple Arcade becoming irrelevant. That’s it.

Oh, and before you start arguing about IAP remember that I can currently use the XBOX App on my phone to buy games from Microsoft’s marketplace.

 

[Cosmosent]

All new features, functionality, and product changes are required to be described with specificity in the Notes for Review section when developers are submitting updates, and Apple says that generic descriptions will be rejected.

That's NOT optimum !

Should have specified that the update's "what's new" description should specify it, NOT the App Reviewer Notes !

Do they run this stuff past even a single "seasoned" App Dev before going public with it ???

It certainly appears they do NOT !

 

[4jasontv]

No they don't. Paying for access to streaming a video is not the same as something like lootboxes or cosmetic armor pieces or weapons, cheat codes yadda yadda. And they definitely don't have online mulitplayer. It's really just not comparable.

Prime Video has content that is not included in your subscription. Hulu has ads. Ads are an additional form of payment.

But these aren’t apps. It’s a streaming service. I’m not sure what you mean about being paid per game.

Jason Snell has the best takes.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1304474810244689920

I read this as Apple saying you need one launcher (app) per game and if you charge for access than you have to make paying via the app an option. Which is within Apple's right to require.

Netflix and XCloud are H.265 streams. They are fundamentally no different. Both are streamed from a remote server and interactions are controlled via a remote or controller. XCloud games just have more frequent interaction.

But they are fundamentally not the same. That increased interactions make the game different than a movie. And Apple has every right to say you can do X for free but not Y.

 

[jgreg728]

God this guy is annoying. Really shouldn’t surprise me that the CEO of Fortnite is the most immature business leader I’ve ever read about. Yeah devs have the right to create apps, just like owners of App Stores have the right to make their own rules. You break em, you get kicked out. Too bad.

Its honestly sad how much his personality reminds me of Ian from Mythic Quest.

 

[GadgetBen]

This has nothing to do with the Epic/Apple situation. Too many people are forming arguments based on that mistake.

You are clearly mistaken. It's about both companies speaking out to get Apple to change their policy.

Epic did it by breaking the rules and bringing in the lawyers - they got the door slammed in their face.

Microsoft did it via media statement, expressing concerns with good reasoning - they make progress.

 

[Norouzi]

Any games that would be available for streaming within Xcloud, need to be “available” through the App Store as well, to give users the option to purchase the full game, instead of subscribing to a game streaming service to get access to it.

This does NOT mean that users MUST also purchase and download the game(s) from the App Store, like a bunch of people here are claiming.

It also does NOT mean that developers have to release a separate streaming app for every single game that they want to offer as a streaming title.

That actually doesn't make any sense. These are not games that would be available to the App store. Minecraft Dungeons is available on Xcloud. This would allow me to stream it to my iOS device via the Xcloud subscription if I had it. If you're saying that I would have the option to purchase Minecraft Dungeons via the App store but not have an Xcloud subscription then that would be pointless and a bad consumer experience since you can't play Minecraft Dungeons on iOS.

This whole language change is very much simply a deterrent so Apple can say "No, look, we totally allow streaming services" while making it impossible for Microsoft or Nvidia to actually accomplish the rules they are laying down.

If you read the language in their new terms they are basically saying that game streaming services have to create a separate individual streaming app for each game, submit it to the app store for approval EVERY time the game is updated and somehow tie each game into Apple's purchasing system for purchases in that game (a game which is not actually installed or running on that iOS device).

Here is the text direct from Apple's developer site:

4.9 Streaming games
Streaming games are permitted so long as they adhere to all guidelines — for example, each game update must be submitted for review, developers must provide appropriate metadata for search, games must use in-app purchase to unlock features or functionality, etc. Of course, there is always the open Internet and web browser apps to reach all users outside of the App Store.

• 4.9.1 Each streaming game must be submitted to the App Store as an individual app so that it has an App Store product page, appears in charts and search, has user ratings and review, can be managed with ScreenTime and other parental control apps, appears on the user’s device, etc.
• 4.9.2 Streaming game services may offer a catalog app on the App Store to help users sign up for the service and find the games on the App Store, provided that the app adheres to all guidelines, including offering users the option to pay for a subscription with in-app purchase and use Sign in with Apple. All the games included in the catalog app must link to an individual App Store product page.

 

[Stewie]

The end result of all of this will be reduced sales and marketshare for Apple - Enjoy living on borrowed time for your beloved platform if they keep this **** up

Hate to break this to you but the market share for gaming as the number 1 or even in the top 10 reasons for owing an iPhone are very small. Even if everyone who says they are going to switch actually do switch the drop in sales of iPhones will be nothing more than a rounding error.

Don't confuse the real world with what is said on forums.

 

[Rogifan]

Can someone explain the logic behind one-to-one services not requiring IAP but one-to-many must use IAP?

 

[GlamCheese666]

This is stupid. Apple doesn't want these certain games to ruin the "Apple Arcade"

xCloud is not doing anything wrong here.

Mmmmmmm.....if you actually read, then you'd realize they're forcing xCloud to function just as the "Arcade" section of the App Store already does on Mac, tvOS, and iOS. xCloud will provide the bundles and App Store download link. Developers can bundle their software, but Apple still gets to make sure their products are quality (ie not having a few games within the app being completely broken from over bloated software). People would bitch about, "iPhone version of this sucks, so I'm switching to Android."
If games were allowed to function in this way, then that opens the door to virtualization software. For example, why can't I just upload a Windows app to run x, y, z program? Why not an Android app? It defeats the purpose of all measures they take to ensure safe, quality software for all users. Steve Jobs was adamant about it; Apple will never compromise on that.
Now for those drawing comparison to Netflix..... Games are full programs that you interact with. Netflix only hosts video files. Video files generally either work, or not. Full on programs have a lot more room for bugs. This is why Apple insists on every game must be submitted for review. Apple doesn't want to host trash, shady, or subpar software.