Xbox head Phil Spencer is set to make an announcement regarding the future of platform exclusives tomorrow, and a new Xbox Game Pass perk handily offers three months of Calm Premium.
Apple will soon permit Game-Pass-style game streaming apps on its App Store
25.01.2024 - 18:27 / eurogamer.net / Matt Wales / Ios / Will
With new EU rules against anti-competitive practices looming, Apple has announced it'll soon be permitting developers to release Game-Pass-style catalogue apps, containing multiple playable and streamable games and programmes, onto its official App Store.
Beyond games, Apple says these new catalogue-style apps can also contain «mini-apps, mini-games, chatbots, and plug-ins», and developers «will be able to» incorporate its In-App Purchase system to offer users paid digital content or services «such as a subscription for an individual chatbot.»
Its initial announcement doesn't highlight the cut Apple will be expecting from these new style of apps (currently it charges developers a 30% fee for paid apps and in-app purchases) — or if the use of its In-App Purchase system is mandatory — but it'll likely get into the specifics soon.
Apple says these new host apps must adhere to «all App Store Review Guidelines» and must maintain an age rating based on the highest age-rated content contained within. It adds that it's implementing the changes to «reflect feedback from Apple's developer community and is consistent with the App Store's mission to provide a trusted place for users to find apps they love and developers everywhere with new capabilities to grow their businesses».
It's almost certainly not a coincidence, however, that Apple will, from this March, need to comply with new rules under the EU's Digital Markets Act, which, among other things, requires it — and other big tech companies — to open up mobile platforms to app stores owned and operated by other companies. Presumably, this is Apple's attempt to make using its own App Store — which already has a massive userbase — a more attractive option.
Microsoft has already confirmed it's looking to take advantage of the EU's new rules by implementing its own store. Notably, the company's attempt to put Project xCloud on iOS — giving access to its catalogue of Game Pass games via streaming — was blocked by Apple in 2020. At the time, Apple insisted the kind of «catalogue» app Microsoft was attempting to submit — and which it is now explicitly permitting — was inappropriate as all games must be submitted individually for review to ensure the App Store remained a «safe and trusted place for customers». Many suggested the complexity of taking its cut from these kinds of apps might have influenced Apple decision at the time.
Other companies — likely including Epic Games, which has been a vocal critic of Apple's App Store rules in the last few years — will no doubt have their own external App Store plans in the works ahead of the EU's new rules. However, a recent report by The Wall Street Journal has suggested Apple is currently formulating plans that will
The website gametalkz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Authors
Popular Topics
gameranx.com
13.02.2024 / 15:51
Resident Evil 3 Is Now Available For Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass just added another big survival horror game to the catalog. This first wave of Xbox Game Pass titles for February included the addition of Resident Evil 3. That comes after the previous month, which included access to Resident Evil 2. So, those of you who had finished through the last installment might be keen on giving this next game a chance.
gadgets.ndtv.com
13.02.2024 / 10:36
Microsoft to Share Xbox Business Update on February 15, Will Reportedly Reveal Games Releasing on PS5, Switch
Microsoft will share an update on the Xbox business later this week, the company confirmed Monday after weeks of reports and rumours of its first-party games coming to rival consoles. The Xbox parent will reveal its plans for the platform in a special edition of the Official Xbox Podcast on February 15 at 12pm PT (February 16, 1.30am IST in India), where Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, Xbox president Sarah Bond and Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty will share details about the future Xbox roadmap. The confirmation comes after Spencer had promised last Tuesday that Microsoft would share its vision for the “future of Xbox” next week.
comingsoon.net
09.02.2024 / 14:26
Xbox Game Pass February 2024 Games Include Resident Evil 3
The first games coming to during February 2024 have been revealed a little later than anticipated, but now we know what to expect up until the last week of the month. As well as day-one releases, the list also includes a new game for EA Play.
thesixthaxis.com
09.02.2024 / 09:36
Xbox Game Pass February update adds Resident Evil 3 and Madden NFL 24
Microsoft has confirmed the next batch of games that will be added to Xbox Game Pass this month. The games include the remake of Resident Evil 3, EA Madden NFL 24, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Train Sim World 4, A Little to the Left, PlateUp!, Return to Grace, and MLB The Show 24. The first game of the February update is out now, and that is Anuchard, which is available on PC, console, and Cloud.
thesixthaxis.com
06.02.2024 / 23:19
Xbox Game Pass February update adds Resident Evil 3 and Madden NFL 24
Microsoft has confirmed the next batch of games that will be added to Xbox Game Pass this month. The games include the remake of Resident Evil 3, EA Madden NFL 24, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Train Sim World 4, A Little to the Left, PlateUp!, Return to Grace, and MLB The Show 24. The first game of the February update is out now, and that is Anuchard, which is available on PC, console, and Cloud.
gamerant.com
28.01.2024 / 23:49
Upcoming Square Enix Game Could Be Coming to Game Pass
A recent update to Microsoft's website suggests that Square-Enix's upcoming Visions of Mana may be headed to Xbox Game Pass alongside its release. Square-Enix first announced the newest entry in the long-running RPG franchise during the 2023 Game Awards, surprising fans with the reveal of the newest Mana game. The RPG is set to arrive as the first brand-new main-series entry in the franchise in nearly two decades, with Mana's recent releases coming as remakes of older titles. Now, the newest Square-Enix game may be coming to Game Pass as well.
tech.hindustantimes.com
27.01.2024 / 07:43
Apple unveils major overhaul for iPhone users in EU - Sideloading, alternative app stores, and more
Apple is set to introduce substantial changes to its ecosystem in the European Union, scheduled to roll out by March 6. One of the notable modifications is to allow iPhone users to sideload apps from third-party stores, a departure from Steve Jobs' original stance due to security concerns. The shift is part of iOS 17.4, primarily targeting EU countries, and aims to enhance user flexibility while maintaining security standards.
thesixthaxis.com
25.01.2024 / 23:30
Apple App Store finally allows game streaming apps – Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now & more on iPhone
As part of major changes to Apple’s App Store policies to comply with EU regulations, the company has also announced that game streaming apps are now to be accepted on the App Store for the first time. This opens the door for Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now, PlayStation Plus, Amazon Luna and other game streaming subscriptions to have dedicated apps on iPhone and iPad – they were previously only accessible via built-in web browsers.
eurogamer.net
25.01.2024 / 23:03
Fortnite returning to iOS says Epic as Apple agrees to "alternative app marketplaces" in EU
Fortnite maker Epic Games says it'll be launching a native iOS version of the Epic Games Store — and bringing Fortnite back to iOS devices — following today's announcement that Apple will soon allow sideloading and alternate marketplaces on its devices to comply with new EU rules. That's as Epic boss Tim Sweeney calls Apple's revised guidelines «hot garbage».
gamerant.com
25.01.2024 / 21:25
One of Last Year's Best Xbox Game Pass Games Gets Free New Content
Hi-Fi Rush, one of Xbox Game Pass' biggest hits during 2023, received a new update on Thursday, January 25. Hi-Fi Rush's recent update gives users new cosmetics, fixes various bugs, and improves controller support for PC players.
videogameschronicle.com
25.01.2024 / 20:21
Apple now allows game streaming apps, making Xbox Game Pass possible
Apple has changed its stance on game streaming apps, potentially opening the door for an Xbox Game Pass app on the iOS App Store.