Why Microsoft remains ‘unhappy’ with Apple and its new rules

Apple has been in the line of fire from many companies over its App Store rules. While its much-publicised fight with Epic Games and Fortnite is nowhere close to a truce, Apple did tweak some rules for companies like Microsoft and Google. Apple in its new guidelines for App Store has made it easier for cloud-based platforms to exist. One such platform is xCloud, the gaming platform from Microsoft. The Cupertino-based tech giant has created a ‘catalog’ like system for cloud gaming platforms. So if Microsoft wants xCloud to be on iOS or iPadOS then it will have to release all the games on App Store, which will be reviewed by Apple.

“This remains a bad experience for customers,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement to The Verge. “Gamers want to jump directly into a game from their curated catalog within one app just like they do with movies or songs, and not be forced to download over 100 apps to play individual games from the cloud. We’re committed to putting gamers at the centre of everything we do, and providing a great experience is core to that mission.”