Microsoft and Apple are at it again, and it is because of the cloud gaming services on iOS and how the App Store is allegedly making it hard for platforms to thrive in its market. Because of this issue, Microsoft has raised various complaints against the Apple App Store for making it hard for cloud gaming apps to fully allow gamers to enjoy what they have to offer.
It should be noted that Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming official experience has not yet been released on iOS despite being available on Google's Android via the Play Store.
Apple App Store Makes it Hard for Cloud Gaming, Complains Microsoft
A recently discovered July submission made by Microsoft (via The Verge) to the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) details another complaint raised by the software company against Apple. The complaint focuses on the alleged hard time cloud gaming platforms are experiencing in order to offer their services on iOS.
Microsoft in its complaint is putting the blame on the App Store. The filing of the complaint comes after a January announcement by Apple, which claimed that it changed its guidelines to allow cloud-based streaming apps.
However, Microsoft argued that despite these changes in App Store guidelines, services, including theirs, are still struggling to provide the experience.
App Store Commission Fees and MORE Halt Xbox Cloud Gaming
It was also shared by Microsoft that Apple's App Store commission fees, as well as its rules on preventing external links from sharing alternative methods of purchases, are making things difficult. Apple has responded to this complaint by saying that other cloud gaming services are up and running on iOS via the App Store.
As of press time, Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming for iOS is only accessible via the web browser and not on the Xbox Game Pass app, unlike like what Android offers.
The Tech Industry's Problem with Apple's App Store
Apple has faced numerous issues and complaints through the years due to its alleged restrictive experiences, guidelines, and strict operations. In particular, other companies have frowned upon Apple's App Store commission rates, which can reach up to as much as 30%.
As of writing, it is only the European Commission's Digital Markets Act (DMA) that has put a stop to it, designating the App Store as a gatekeeper and requiring it to open up its services. This includes the App Store and iOS allowing sideloading and third-party app marketplaces, as well as offering third-party payment platforms for users to use on subscriptions or purchases.
Companies like Meta, Spotify, Microsoft, X, and more have raised their antitrust complaints and grievances against Apple's policies, which are still present outside of the European Union (EU).
Related Article: Xbox CEO Announces Cloud Gaming Feature is Launching Soon
