Facebook blames Apple for not allowing games in Facebook Gaming app

The App Store and Facebook

The social media giant says that it has been forced to release an "inferior" version of its Facebook Gaming app in order for Apple to accept it onto the App Store.

Following Microsoft's similar criticism, Facebook says that Apple has forced it to launch a new games app — without any games. The Facebook Gaming app is currently being rolled out on the App Store after around six months of the social media company trying to persuade Apple to allow the same features found on the Android version.

"Unfortunately, we had to remove gameplay functionality entirely in order to get Apple's approval on the standalone Facebook Gaming app," Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg said in a statement to The Verge, "meaning iOS users have an inferior experience to those using Android."

"We're staying focused on building communities for the more than 380 million people who play games on Facebook every month," she continued. "whether Apple allows it in a standalone app or not."

Apple's position, according to Facebook, is that it will not allow apps whose primary function is to distribute other software, including games. Apps must go through the App Store, they can't be loaded through a route where Apple can't curate or vet them.

Facebook says this isn't fair because Facebook Gaming is not centered on playing games. The company showed Apple data from its Android app's usage that showed 95% of activity is from users watching video streams instead.

According to the New York Times, Apple rejected the Facebook Gaming app at least five times since its original submission in February 2020. Each time it was for the same issue over the main function of the app being to deliver games.

"We even appealed the guideline under the new app review process announced at WWDC," said a Facebook spokesperson, referring to Apple's revised App Store procedures. "We did not receive a response."

Apple has been under increasing criticism for its App Store polices, and its fees. The company has sponsored research saying its procedures and prices are comparable to other digital market places, and Tim Cook has defended the App Store to the US House of Judiciary.

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17 Comments

InspiredCode

said about 3 years ago

I’m not a fan of FaceBook, but I think there are virtually zero users that expect individual game listings in the App Store. This is a rule that is pitched as “pro-consumer” isn’t actually desired by anyone. I guess if Apple were concerned enough, they could add a TV.app style listing service in the App Store to help find the contained game streaming service. This rule really only applies to streaming services, trivial games, and emulators since there is no other way to create a game collection.

Apple allows video streaming services to moderate their own content. They can do the same for video game streaming.

I mention this in the xCloud post, but Apple should focus on AR and mobile gaming where they have a real competitive advantage vs incumbents and otherwise be happy that traditional gamers might still want to be on their platform if not for these rules. Apple is probably going to release a gaming focused headset in the next year or two with Oculus being their only real competition. Upsetting gamers isn’t a great way to be successful with that.

rotateleftbyte

said about 3 years ago

Zuckbook peed off by Apple? Bring it on. He's apparently worth $100B so he can afford to make a platform inc hardware that competes with Apple. Will he put his money where his mouth is?

tmay

said about 3 years ago

What the fuck.

Facebook says this isn't fair because Facebook Gaming is not centered on playing games. The company showed Apple data from its Android app's usage that showed 95% of activity is from users watching video streams instead.

Hey Facebook, how about creating a media streaming app instead of a gaming app, leave out the gaming, call it a streaming media app, and resubmit to the app store.

InspiredCode said:

I’m not a fan of FaceBook, but I think there are virtually zero users that expect individual game listings in the App Store. This is a rule that is pitched as “pro-consumer” isn’t actually desired by anyone. I guess if Apple were concerned enough, they could add a TV.app style listing service in the App Store to help find the contained game streaming service. This rule really only applies to streaming services, trivial games, and emulators since there is no other way to create an app collection.

Apple allows video streaming services to moderate their own content. They can do the same for video game streaming.

Apple has stated explicitly, that they do not allow game streaming services, so why the fuck would Apple need to provide a "TV.app style listing service in the App Store to help find the contained game streaming service"? That list would be a null set!

spice-boy

said about 3 years ago

It nice to see two monopolies fighting, keep at it greedy titans.

InspiredCode

said about 3 years ago

tmay said:

What the fuck.

Facebook says this isn't fair because Facebook Gaming is not centered on playing games. The company showed Apple data from its Android app's usage that showed 95% of activity is from users watching video streams instead.

Hey Facebook, how about creating a media streaming app instead of a gaming app, leave out the gaming, call it a streaming media app, and resubmit to the app store.

InspiredCode said:

I’m not a fan of FaceBook, but I think there are virtually zero users that expect individual game listings in the App Store. This is a rule that is pitched as “pro-consumer” isn’t actually desired by anyone. I guess if Apple were concerned enough, they could add a TV.app style listing service in the App Store to help find the contained game streaming service. This rule really only applies to streaming services, trivial games, and emulators since there is no other way to create an app collection.

Apple allows video streaming services to moderate their own content. They can do the same for video game streaming.

Apple has stated explicitly, that they do not allow game streaming services, so why the fuck would Apple need to provide a "TV.app style listing service in the App Store to help find the contained game streaming service"? That list would be a null set!

I really don’t personally care if Facebook gaming ends up on the Store, but the point is gamers don’t like the AppStore rules around game services. Apple cites one of the major reasons is they want all of the games on the game service to be discovered through the AppStore.