Providers of streaming apps for games have not had it easy with Apple so far, but due to new EU regulations, Apple now has to allow a lot more than before.
Until now, Apple has had a vehement thumb on it when it comes to streaming apps or paid content in the App Store. Even Microsoft had no chance of bringing Xbox Cloud Gaming to iOS devices via an app and had to take the detour via the browser.
But that is now changing, because due to new EU regulations, Apple can no longer resist this. In the future, both Game Pass-like streaming services and apps that provide access to other mini-apps and games will be permitted. Under Apple’s new guidelines, which go into effect worldwide today, developers can now submit a single “host” app for distribution on the App Store, which provides access to a catalog of “streaming games, mini-apps, mini-games , chatbots and plug-ins”.
This also includes permission to integrate systems for in-app purchases to give users access to digital content or subscription services. What doesn’t change, however, is that Apple also takes a 30 percent share of these newly approved options, just like in the App Store. But at least developers now have more options to offer their services. Which also led Epic Games to announce that Fortnite would be released for iOS again this year, along with an Epic Game Store app.
These changes are being made to “incorporate feedback from the Apple developer community,” Apple says. The aim is to “provide users with a trusted place to find apps they love and developers everywhere new opportunities to grow their business.” In fact, the new EU regulations come into force in March and would have forced the company to take this step anyway.
Apple has introduced the new iPhone 15, which, in addition to new processors and improved cameras, also includes USB-C and hardware-accelerated ray tracing (iPhone 15 Pro only).
