Apple's Phil Schiller Explains Why Valve's Steam Link App Was Rejected

[m0sher]

As a gamer this is something I might go to android for.

I understand apples desired to get a piece of the pie while steam is using their platform and that’s what needs to be worked out.....however if this deal doesn’t work, the latter may be true for a lot of gamers .

 

[cube]

Why can't two family members play different games at the same time? If you buy the same games for a console, you can put one disc in each machine.

 

[agenda893]

Because of this I got rid of my AppleTV 4K and replaced it with an Nvidia Shield TV.

 

[Michael Goff]

So there were no benefits about the Xbox one s over the OG Xbox one? No upscaling or anything? Was it just rebranded? Because I personally know a couple of folks that upgraded to the S, than to the X. NONE of them are upgrades in MY eyes, but they are in fact an upgraded SKU. Otherwise, Microsoft wouldn't have released it.

Hmmm... A quick Google search shows otherwise btw.

The S doesn’t play games any better than the regular, and anyone with a 4K TV already got upscaled graphics.

I’d never heard of it till my son installed it on his macbook.
[doublepost=1527429607][/doublepost]
Which is why some longtime customers are looking at other platforms.

And that’s why Apple only saw a small rise in sales year over year, right?

 

[cube]

Because of this I got rid of my AppleTV 4K and replaced it with an Nvidia Shield TV.

But then you can only stream if the computer has an Nvidia GPU.

 

[GizmoDVD]

Because of this I got rid of my AppleTV 4K and replaced it with an Nvidia Shield TV.

Cool story.

An app that was announced 2 weeks ago turned the tide so quick on you?

I’m sure Apple is very disappointed

 

[jeabraham]

And how is buying stuff through the amazon app different then buying a game through steam?

The in app purchase guideline only applies to buying software functionality or app content. The App Store (and in app purchase) are for selling software and information. If you are buying real goods and services, the rules are different.

 

[kingax1]

Apple need Steam but Steam don't need Apple. Tread carefully Apple.

While I certainly feel having a working relationship and beneficial for both parties, this statement is just totally not true.

 

[cube]

You can only use the Steam controller on iOS. On Android, you can also use PS4 or Xbox One controllers, for example.

 

[urtules]

Consoles aren't cost effective compared to Steam.

That’s not true. I was just buying this.

 

[DriedTurnip]

You can only use the Steam controller on iOS. On Android, you can also use PS4 or Xbox One controllers, for example.

No, you can use MFI controllers. Why are Macrumours posters so uninformed about everything, this whole thread is full of misinformation.

 

[lec0rsaire]

No way Apple will allow Valve to pillage market share of game sales on their own store. OK, pillage is too strong a word in this case but that’s what would happen. Valve did to the gaming industry what Apple did with iTunes to the music industry until streaming services changed the dominant model once again. Apple needs to figure gaming out and come up with a solution. They have the resources to set up some cloud gaming service. It would make the ecosystem more compelling for gamers.

 

[Princejb134]

If anything, that’s backwards. But neither needs the other. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship, and saying Apple needs Steam is just kind of silly.

Apple needs steam. I would buy so many games to play on Apple TV.

 

[Michael Goff]

Apple needs steam. I would buy so many games to play on Apple TV.

And that would help Apple none.

 

[Rogifan]

Very easily.

OK but the number of non-iOS users who own a HomePod is probably next to none. Why would anyone with an Android device want a HomePod?

 

[Treq]

Sometimes it’s just nice to play games on a bigger screen and on a couch.. it’s not really that complicated. It just allows for a bit more versitality.

After being at work all day sat in front of a computer, I don’t feel like sitting in front of another. Sometimes I do want to play with a keyboard and mouse. It’s nice being able to take my PC games to a console like setting.

You should buy a steam link box. they were $40 blast time i checked and are awesome. plug in to your tv connects to your pc on the network and you get steam big picture on your tv.

 

[Rogifan]

Agreed, but I’m not sure it applies here. Steam is nothing more than a thin client. The processing and purchasing is all done on your pc via a remote session.

There no legitimate reason to block this except for Apple killing off a potential app that may take out a few cents from its bottom line.

How is Steam any different than using a browser to circumvent Apple getting a cut? I can sign up for Spotify via the browser. I can buy books and other digital media via the browser. Apple gets no cut of that.

 

[Sakurambo-kun]

Lol wat
[doublepost=1527405016][/doublepost]

They are all business conflicts.
[doublepost=1527405196][/doublepost]

That is completely disingenuous and valve making that claim did them no favors. It in no way works like a full access Remote Desktop. It literally just streams steam games and nothing else. That is NOT a Remote Desktop client.

Have you ever used Steam Link? It's really, genuinely is a remote desktop client. You can even see your PC desktop as Steam changes resolutions (and when games crash). It's merely a remote desktop focused on one app (Steam).

If Apple are hung up on this because it allows people to access the Steam store then they'll presumably have a problem with other remote desktops allowing people to access Chrome and then Amazon/eBay/any other shopping site.

If Valve have to gimp Steam Link to block out access to the Steam store (and so force people to go over to their PC to buy a new game) it will be another victory for Apple's anti consumer stupidity over the user experience.

And this story is all over gaming news sites, and people are rightfully treating Apple apart for it. It's the worst PR imaginable. It's just plain stupid from Apple.

 

[Treq]

You don't need a console if they allow this app. You would only have to purchase games once to play on PC, Mac, and the Apple TV. Saving lots of money.

nah, consoles suck. He should get a steam link box. They are cheap and you can play all your games over your network on your big TV.

 

[Rogifan]

Apple just wants their 30% for any purchases made from apps via their app store.

Pretty silly if you ask me .Steamlink doesn't work (yet) outside of LAN. Should just post a tutorial somewhere to side load Steamlink on iOS devices.

It doesn't matter to Google because people can side load many apps out of the box, and not directly from the Play store. Amazon's entire Droid app business model depends on this (their own Droid device market share is abysmal).

If I sign up for Spotify on my iOS device using Chrome browser Apple doesn’t get a cut. Apple doesn’t get a cut if I order food from the Panera app or buy something from Kohls or Target using their app. They don’t get a cut of Uber or Lyft transactions. So Apple deserves 30% of Steam purchases because they also sell games in the AppStore? I think it’s ridiculous.

 

[Michael Goff]

If I sign up for Spotify on my iOS device using Chrome browser Apple doesn’t get a cut. Apple doesn’t get a cut if I order food from the Panera app or buy something from Kohls or Target using their app. They don’t get a cut of Uber or Lyft transactions. So Apple deserves 30% of Steam purchases because they also sell games in the AppStore? I think it’s ridiculous.

Whether they deserve it or not is irrelevant. Apple made the rules and they apply to everyone.

 

[Treq]

Except if you buy a 500$ console today, it will get more years of working games without you having to worry about getting a new anything to play the most recent games.

While that used to be true, and I did do that myself a couple years ago. Right now, you can't get a decent graphics card for that money because all the crypto currency miners have bought them all.
[doublepost=1527441015][/doublepost]

That’s not true. I was just buying this.

I got those for the same price on steam during the steam sale... and i didn't have to leave the house. Tons of games under $10. Even 6 month old games go for $20 or less a lot of the time.

 

[Michael Goff]

While that used to be true, and I did do that myself a couple years ago. Right now, you can't get a decent graphics card for that money because all the crypto currency miners have bought them all.
[doublepost=1527441015][/doublepost]
I got those for the same price on steam during the steam sale... and i didn't have to leave the house. Tons of games under $10. Even 6 month old games go for $20 or less a lot of the time.

That’s the only problem with making a PC today, miners have done some damage to the ecosystem.

 

[Piggie]

While that used to be true, and I did do that myself a couple years ago. Right now, you can't get a decent graphics card for that money because all the crypto currency miners have bought them all.
[doublepost=1527441015][/doublepost]
I got those for the same price on steam during the steam sale... and i didn't have to leave the house. Tons of games under $10. Even 6 month old games go for $20 or less a lot of the time.

When you've finished playing your £20 game you got on steam.
Which family member do you pass it onto? A close friends child perhaps?
Or sell it on to someone else, to help towards the purchase of another game?

None of those? ahhhhhhhh

 

[Gilligan's last elephant]

OK but the number of non-iOS users who own a HomePod is probably next to none. Why would anyone with an Android device want a HomePod?

You asked how you can subscribe to Apple Music if you don't have an Apple device. An Apple device is not required.
I answered your question.