Facebook released a stand up - alonegaming appin April , but , try as it might , the company ca n’t convince Apple to take into account it in the iOS App Store . Facebook has submitted the app five time , in fact , according to theNew York Times . The reason ? Apple does n’t allow apps that are essentially storefront for distributing chance game in its App Store .
It ’s not only surprising that Apple rejected Facebook Gaming , give way that it has its own gaming platform , Apple Arcade , which is concentrate on — you hazard it — circularise casual games . Facebook Gaming appears to compete with Apple Arcade , which made $ 15 billion in revenue last class , which could be the ground why Apple continue to reject the app .
Facebook has distributed games since 2010 , yet it ’s never been the social medium weapons platform ’s primary focus . The same could be allege about its young play app , which curates all the play mental object on Facebook and place in one place .
Photo: Joanna Nelius (Gizmodo)
In addition to letting its substance abuser access and play perfunctory biz , Facebook ’s gaming app also filters video content from any gambling - related groups you follow on Facebook into its own feed . The feed I see in Facebook Gaming on Android is currently full of Overwatch stream and videos . There ’s a disjoined tab that let you search cyclosis cognitive content based on favored streamers , games , and a couple other categories . The first thing I see when I afford up the app are picture of people pelt GTA 5 , The Last of Us , and Fortnite , both live and recorded .
Apple initially deny Facebook Gaming , the Times ’ reference said , because the app violatedSection 4.7of its App Store rules , which say that HTML5 game are allowed as long as “ the code is not offered in a storehouse or memory board - like user interface . ” They said Facebook redesign its gaming app for the App Store several fourth dimension , going as far as totally removing the ability for user to search for and play games , but Apple still denied Facebook ’s petition .
Facebook is n’t the only company number up against App Store rules . Developers of a newfangled email app , Hey , are publicly battling Apple over a rejection due to allowing payment for premium features alfresco of the app to avoid ante up the 15 - 30 % cut of meat Apple takes from in - app leverage — otherwise known as the “ Apple taxation . ” DeveloperDavid Heinemeier Hanssonsaid Apple will sanction an of import Hey software update only if the tally to enable in - app subscriptions , which would then be subjected to the revenue - share Apple requires . But other apps manage to avoid paying Apple for outside subscription , which Hansson claims is unjust .
Apple is currentlyunder investigationin the European Union for antitrust violations for alleged anti - competitive practices , because its apps are not dependent to the revenue - share that third - party apps are . which are not subject to a revenue - share , in the App Store . In a military press statement announcing the investigation , European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager enunciate Apple had “ receive a gatekeeper role , ” cite how the fellowship decides what apps it will leave on its store .
“ We ask to ensure that Apple ’s rules do not deform competition in market place where Apple is competing with other app developers , for example with its medicine cyclosis religious service Apple Music or with Apple Books , ” Vestager read . “ I have therefore decided to take a close facial expression at Apple ’s App Store rules and their compliance with EU competition rules . ”
It ’s worth noting that while Apple institutionalize a subscription fee to access its games , Facebook does not . If you really want to , you’re able to still play games on Facebook through its main big blue app , which has been available to download in the App Store for what seems like all of time .
It ’s also deserving note thatGoogle ’s Stadia appis available on the App Store , and you may make leverage via the app . Another like platform , Shadow , was banned from the App Store , butrecently reinstated in May 2020 . Apple also recently confirmed that it does allow some video cyclosis services , like Amazon Prime , tobypass its 30 percent memory fee .
Got a tip ? e-mail the reporter at[email protected]or viaProton Mail , DMfor Signal , or adjoin us anonymously viaSecureDrop .
AppleFacebook
Daily Newsletter
Get the best tech , skill , and refinement word in your inbox daily .
News from the future , give birth to your present tense .
You May Also Like
