Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple's 'Arbitrary' App Store Policies Stifle the Launch of Facebook's Cloud-Streamed Games

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,100
38,849


Facebook has today announced a new series of cloud-streamed games for its app and website, but the service will be unavailable in-app to iOS users due to Apple's App Store policies (via CNBC).

01_Asphalt_Full-Game_1920x1080.jpeg


Facebook explained in its announcement that the games will not be spun off into a separate cloud gaming service, instead remaining within Facebook's app and website.

The first set of games available this week include "Asphalt 9: Legends" by Gameloft, "Mobile Legends: Adventure" by Moonton, "PGA TOUR Golf Shootout" by Concrete Software, Inc., "Solitaire: Arthur's Tale" by Qublix Games, and "WWE SuperCard" by 2K Games. "Dirt Bike Unchained" by Red Bull is set to be added in the coming weeks.

The company says that cloud-streaming games will bring cross-play to Facebook for the first time, as well as cloud-playable ads for interactive demos, intended to "blur the line between games and ads." The games will be coming to a redesigned "Destination for Play" on Facebook for resuming games and discovering new ones.

Facebook's cloud gaming solution is not comparable to subscription services such as Google Stadia, Amazon Luna, or Microsoft's xCloud, since the company has focused on versions of mobile games that are initially free to play, rather than AAA titles.

"We think this will expand very quickly because we're not charging up front and you don't need to have a controller," said Jason Rubin, Facebook's vice president of special gaming initiatives.
Click to expand...

However, the new cloud-streamed games will not be available on iOS. Facebook says that this is due to Apple's "arbitrary" App Store policies.

Apple does not allow apps to act as third-party app stores, refusing apps that distribute software "in a store or store-like interface." Apple now says that apps can offer a subscription to multiple games, but only if each game can be approved by Apple and is offered in its own app.

Although Facebook could theoretically bring cloud gaming to iOS via the browser version of Facebook, the company has no plans to do so.

"We don't want people going to web Facebook 20 times a day. We have a great app," Rubin said. "We would have to use Apple's technology and browser on iOS, and that isn’t optimized to the benefit of cloud games," said Rubin.
Click to expand...

When Facebook users make a micro-transaction in a cloud-streamed game in a browser, 30 percent of revenue will go to Facebook and 70 percent will go to the game developers. For purchases made on Android, Facebook will not take a cut, and instead, its 30 percent goes to Google.

"We would be willing to give the 30 percent to Apple, that is not what's holding us up," Rubin said. "What's holding us up is we're not allowed to do the things that we're doing on Android," Rubin explained.
Click to expand...

The snipe at Apple appears to be the latest in an ongoing feud between the two companies. In August, Facebook was forced to remove the games feature from its Facebook Gaming app on iOS for violating App Store policies.

Facebook's cloud-streamed games will begin rolling out this week to users near a Facebook data center, achieving coverage in California, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C., with further expansion expected in the coming months.

Article Link: Apple's 'Arbitrary' App Store Policies Stifle the Launch of Facebook's Cloud-Streamed Games
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/10/26/apple-policies-stifle-facebook-cloud-games/
We should start doing to Facebook, what we do whenever we see the name Ajit Pai.

**** Facebook.
 
Stevez67 said:
There's nothing arbitrary about the rules; you can't be a third party App Store. Ads "blurring the lines between ads and games" is just creepy.
Click to expand...

Also, a terrible experience. If they built ads into my PS4 games, I'd be out instantly.

I never understood the mobile gaming craze in general; maybe it's because I grew up on consoles, but I feel like it's the best option (PlayStation or Xbox). I tried a few games on my phone, but instantly lost interest. I still love my PS4 though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mi7chy, GermanSuplex, Jimmy James and 4 others
This wars between Apple and trillionaire companies based on customers "rights" really appassionate me. Gimme more.
 
Looks like yet another example of someone trying to use the App Store to advertise their sh*t, otherwise a web app would suffice.

The Android argument is also non sequitur. It is a cesspool, so pretty much any sh*t is allowed to flow into it - it only gets pumped out when it is about to overflow (or a really bit piece clogs it up).
 
  • Like
Reactions: amartinez1660, p96, Jimmy James and 2 others
Nebulance said:
Also, a terrible experience. If they built ads into my PS4 games, I'd be out instantly.

I never understood the mobile gaming craze in general; maybe it's because I grew up on consoles, but I feel like it's the best option (PlayStation or Xbox). I tried a few games on my phone, but instantly lost interest. I still love my PS4 though.
Click to expand...
Better not play any EA sports games then. They’re getting bad press for putting unskippable ads in NBA 2K21.
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: amartinez1660, hieromonk, Jimmy James and 4 others
The ESRB rates these games already, so I'm glad that the competition is putting marketing pressure on Apple (gamers miss out) and finding a way to make Apple's position one that only costs Apple money
 
  • Like
Reactions: PC_tech
Facebook could probably force Apple to change.

Imagine a scenario similar to cable/satellite tv providers negotiating with content providers. The content providers start running a banner saying to call the cable/satellite company to keep their content and then can pull it.

What if Facebook ran a non-dismissible banner in the normal facebook app saying that Apple is no longer allowing their app and to call them. If they eventually left the app with no content, but only a message to contact Apple (phone support, genius bar appointments, etc.) they could overwhelm Apple's support.

In the end, this is all bad for consumers. We should be able to run whatever programs we want on our computers. Just because it can fit in your pocket doesn't change anything. It is hard to believe that we've gone backwards in openness of computers. Imagine if during all the anti-trust stuff with Microsoft if they had announced - starting tomorrow you can no longer run any apps on Windows unless we get 30% 😂
 
  • Sad
  • Like
Reactions: 0924487 and I7guy
rjp1 said:
Facebook could probably force Apple to change.

Imagine a scenario similar to cable/satellite tv providers negotiating with content providers. The content providers start running a banner saying to call the cable/satellite company to keep their content and then can pull it.

What if Facebook ran a non-dismissible banner in the normal facebook app saying that Apple is no longer allowing their app and to call them. If they eventually left the app with no content, but only a message to contact Apple (phone support, genius bar appointments, etc.) they could overwhelm Apple's support.

In the end, this is all bad for consumers. We should be able to run whatever programs we want on our computers. Just because it can fit in your pocket doesn't change anything. It is hard to believe that we've gone backwards in openness of computers. Imagine if during all the anti-trust stuff with Microsoft if they had announced - starting tomorrow you can no longer run any apps on Windows unless we get 30% 😂
Click to expand...
Windows is a different platform, just like MacOS is.

I'll choose the safety restrictions afforded by a walled garden over openness every time.

A loose comparison of what these complainers are doing is like demanding that an automobile manufacturer open their proprietary entertainment systems to allow other companies to insert their applications on.

I could care less about any of these complainers. They knew the terms going in and signed a contract that renews annually. There was no protest when they started, but only after they had success.

The consumers are the only ones who will lose if these 3rd party crybabies get their way. We will not see lower prices and will have to negotiate with all of these 3rd parties payment systems when there are incorrect charges.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arbuthnott and Jouls
Cry me a river...

Apple may adjust to allow these sorts of things in the future, if they proliferate and turn out not to be just giant data mining operations, but it is stupidity to the highest degree to vilify them for taking time to make adjustments. It's not that way "arbitrarily" or because they're evil, it's just how it's been since they invented the app store. Nothing was wrong with the policies until all these corporations suddenly got into a mobile-game-streaming arms race.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LeadingHeat
Anything that stifles facebook in anyway shape or form is a good thing. It is a parasitic entity, the sooner we wise up to the fact it is destroying the internet, or relationships and steals many millions of hours of life, the better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: p96 and Colonel Blimp
and 1989 others said:
Anything that stifles facebook in anyway shape or form is a good thing. It is a parasitic entity, the sooner we wise up to the fact it is destroying the internet, or relationships and steals many millions of hours of life, the better.
Click to expand...
I do not use Facebook either but how do you imagine a social platform that is free and used universally around the globe other than what Facebook is doing? Something like Apple Ping? Something government controlled (and maintained)? Subscription based?
 
  • Like
Reactions: mateytate
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back