It seemed impossible, but it will finally happen. Apple will allow gaming streaming services, such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now, to have their own apps in the App Store. This movement is part of a series of measures that those from Cupertino are taking to adapt to European regulations and avoid sanctions.
Although it was already possible to enjoy streaming games on iOS devices, the services were required to offer an application for each title. The above, of course, harmed the experience of these platforms. To avoid it, Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now They resorted to offering their services through the browser, where there are no such restrictions.
Now, however, Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now, or any other interested streaming game service, will be able to have a single app in the App Store and offer access to your entire catalog of titles in one place.
“Today, Apple is introducing new options for how apps can deliver in-app experiences to users, including streaming games and mini-programs. Developers can now ship a single app with the ability to stream all of the games offered. in their catalog.”
Manzana.
If a game requires additional add-ons to function optimally, the App Store will also make it available to users.
Each game must align with the App Store standards
It is worth mentioning that, although all streaming games can be offered from a single application, that will not prevent Each title, individually, must align with the App Store policies. Therefore, Microsoft and NVIDIA must first receive the green light for each proposal they wish to offer through their services.
“Each experience available in an app must meet all App Store review guidelines, and its host app must maintain the highest age content rating included in the app.”
Manzana.
Therefore, if there is at least one game rated “adults only”—the maximum that exists—on those services, the overall rating of the app should be that.
Undoubtedly, we are facing a significant and truly beneficial move for Microsoft and NVIDIA. Both companies see streaming game services as the future of the industry. A future where there is no longer the need to have a conventional console to enjoy the most recent releases.
However, for a long time Apple refused to let them work optimally on its platform. It cannot be denied, however, that These changes to the App Store rules have been caused by pressure from the European Union.
In addition to allowing streaming game applications in the App Store, those from Cupertino will also allow the installation of apps outside of the aforementioned store, also known as sideloading. It is a proposal more or less similar to what can already be done on Android.
And Apple analyzed the regulations of the old continent very well and was able to impose certain restrictions to maintain control. For example, third-party app stores must receive prior authorization from the company in order to operate. Additionally, users will have to grant multiple permissions, among other rules.