Microsoft has sided with Epic Games in the latter’s fight against Apple’s stringent control over iOS. Microsoft is delaying launching the Xbox mobile store for the same reason.
Fortnite is back on the Apple App Store in the US and while that may signal a wave of change coming to iOS, the problems continue to exist and plague other partners. Microsoft, which is one of Apple’s biggest nemesis, has been waiting for Apple to change its policies in a bid to debut its Xbox mobile store app. In a recent court filing siding with Epic Games, Microsoft bares it all out about the issues it faces with the Cupertino-based technology firm.
Microsoft’s Xbox game store on iOS was promised to be a new source for several in-game items as well as a platform for third-party mobile games. Brought to the limelight last year, Microsoft was eager to get it out to the public by 2025. However, plans were constantly delayed and Microsoft blames Apple for the same.
Xbox mobile store delayed due to Apple
Microsoft makes it clear to the court that Apple has “stymied” every solution to incorporate a third-party payment portal and even inform customers of the same. The filing, which sides with Epic Games in its fight against Apple’s attempt to overturn the injunction allowing third-party developers to bypass the App Store’s ‘Apple commission’ on every single purchase, states that it makes it tricky for Microsoft to bring its new service into play.
Technically, Microsoft, like Epic Games, can release the Xbox game store on Apple’s App Store and host its third-party payment service. However, the injunction is currently under consideration, and if Apple manages to win a temporary stay, Microsoft will need to pull the plug on the Xbox mobile store until a final verdict is reached. That’s something a software giant won’t want to do and garner bad press.
The Xbox game store app, just like other third-party app stores, wants to skip Apple’s App Store payment portal and save on the 30 per cent commission.
Xbox main mobile app also affected
The main Xbox companion app, for which Microsoft has big plans, is also held back due to Apple’s policies. Microsoft seeks to let Xbox members purchase games from the Xbox store and stream the games within the app itself, either from its cloud gaming service or console devices. The Apple policies restrict Microsoft from doing so, and hence, Xbox cloud gaming subscribers have to rely on the web version to stream games via a web browser.