Apple recently updated its guidelines regarding the App Store and how game streaming services are expected to operate. While the change was thought to be a way to help overcome recent hurdles facing new and emerging game-streaming services, Microsoft responded by suggesting the changes are simply not enough.

The App Store is a massive digital hub that lets consumers purchase and download apps on their mobile phones. While consumers can pay outright for an app, many popular free apps and games offer in-app purchases that can range from removing ads to offering new features. Recently, Epic Games found itself embroiled in a legal battle with Apple after trying to go around Apple’s purchasing system that typically nets the iPhone-maker around 30-percent in commission.

Related: Google Says Its Legal Battle Over Fortnite Is Different From Apple’s

In the revised guidelines, Apple explained that game streaming services will be permitted in the App Store. However, Apple has strict measures that app developers will need to follow. The tech company exercises authority over products sold in the store, and requires that developers follow all rules, including metadata, updating reviews and in-app purchases, and offering all games as separate apps. Basically, while permitted, the guidelines explain that every game needs to come with its own App Store product page and subscriptions or payments will need to be through an in-app purchase. Following the new guidelines, a Microsoft spokesperson told media outlets, including CNET, that "This remains a bad experience for customers." Essentially, Microsoft sees the changes as not much different to the situation before, explaining that the process inconveniences gamers by making them individually download so many games.

The Problem With Streaming Games On Mobile

Apple Logo

From Apple's perspective, the change allows game streaming services like Microsoft xCloud and Google Stadia to be available in the App Store. However, the catch is that Apple requires that the developers submit every game through the App Store, so the individual application has a unique page, rating and appears through searches. While inherently complex, Apple is letting developers create a catalog app to find corresponding apps through the store, which will then link to a specified App Store product page. Moreover, the catalog app’s subscription service will be performed as an in-app purchase, while simultaneously working with the Sign in with Apple option.

Despite how overly complicated the process may seem, the advantage is that users can micro manage the app experience. For example, parents who want to let their kid play mobile games could change the settings so a child would not have access to any violent games or those that mainly cater to an adult audience. Other unseen advantages could be that the service won't create unnecessary bloat and/or use up a large amount of storage, especially if individuals only play a few select titles.

That said, the guidelines do make the process seem frustrating for game-streaming services that operate in a similar way to how Netflix delivers movies, and it could deter people from even signing up in the first place. In fact, some companies could see this approach as a waste of time and counter to the purpose of the service, as Microsoft has since indicated, considering iOS users won't get the full catalog of games that they are entitled to through their subscription.

More: Apple Developers Can Now Challenge App Store Guideline Violations

Source: Apple, CNET