Apple Claims Steam Link App Violates App Store Guidelines

[Chino]

As most of you have heard by now, Apple revoked the release of the Steam Link app on their platform last week. Concerned customers have been sending emails to Apple to inquire about the reasons behind the decision. Phil Schiller, senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing at Apple, stated that the Steam Link application didn't comply with the App Store guidelines. Unfortunately, he didn't explain exactly how the application violated the guidelines. Nevertheless, Apple assured their customers that they will continue to work with Valve to bring the Steam experience to iOS users.

You can find the email that was sent to Apple customers below.

Thank you for your email and being a customer of Apple products and the App Store.

We care deeply about bringing great games to all of our users on the App Store. We would love for Valve's games and services to be on iOS and AppleTV.

Unfortunately, the review team found that Valve's Steam iOS app, as currently submitted, violates a number of guidelines around user generated content, in-app purchases, content codes, etc. We've discussed these issues with Valve and will continue to work with them to help bring the Steam experience to iOS and AppleTV in a way that complies with the store's guidelines.

We put great effort into creating an App Store that provides the very best experience for everyone. We have clear guidelines that all developers must follow in order to ensure the App Store is a safe place for all users and a fair opportunity for all developers.

Sincerely,

Phil

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[dorsetknob]

Probably its because the App enables people to buy direct from Steam and deprives Apple a (30+%) share of each Sale

 

[the54thvoid]

Probably its because the App enables people to buy direct from Steam and deprives Apple a (30+%) share of each Sale

Well, if you want to sleep with the devil, you've got to tickle his balls.

 

[Dimi]

Probably its because the App enables people to buy direct from Steam and deprives Apple a (30+%) share of each Sale

That doesn't make sense because you can already do that with the regular Steam app on ios......

 

[ssdpro]

Maybe Apple couldn't verify the App was programmed and/or assembled by very small hands per their usual guidelines. Or perhaps that App wasn't providing the required usage data mining for Apple's "constantly improving optimizations based on user-derived data". Since they wouldn't say it is anyone's guess.

 

[csgabe]

Why are those nets there?

 

[dorsetknob]

Why are those nets there?

Off topic but probably for security safety Screening against Dropped Objects from above

The local Pigeons are the size of Condors " you ever get hit by Pigeons crap "

 

[StrayKAT]

Is that the Foxconn building?

 

[Vya Domus]

Why are those nets there?

Sometimes the people working there are having such a good time they trip by accident and fall out the window or from the roofs.

Those are suicide nets.

 

[biffzinker]

Why are those nets there?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn_suicides

 

[Arrakis9]

Apple messed up big time and now they're getting a ton of backlash from it. But will you ever see Apple admit they were wrong? Never.

2018 is the year Apple gets exposed for what they really are.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Apple messed up big time and now they're getting a ton of backlash from it. But will you ever see Apple admit they were wrong? Never.

2018 is the year Apple gets exposed for what they really are.

Gets exposed for what they are but will still make money hand over fist cause "Apple"

 

[Flanker]

Is that the Foxconn building?

No. I saw suicide nets everywhere in their factory campuses, but none of the buildings look like that.

 

[Arjai]

The message is still crystal clear.

No. I saw suicide nets everywhere in their factory campuses, but none of the buildings look like that.

 

[Super XP]

It seems as though Apple themselves are in violation. There's nothing wrong with the Steam Link App.

 

[Power Slave]

I can understand Apple wanting a piece of the profits, after all Steam is using iOS platform. It's in Apples best interest to come to an agreement, not because they haven't done exteremly well without Steam but for those gamers they might lose to android phones who might want this feature.

With crytpocurrency raising GPU prices this will be another form of gaming some might seek because they can't afford or find new GPU's.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Here's what Valve is contending with:
https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/

The ones that stand out that may have caught Steam Link:

2.5.5 We will be reviewing on an IPv6 network, so if your app isn’t compatible with the IPv6 addressing, it may fail during review.
2.5.6 Apps that browse the web must use the appropriate WebKit framework and WebKit Javascript.
2.5.7 Video streaming content over a cellular network longer than 10 minutes must use HTTP Live Streaming and include a baseline 192 kbps HTTP Live stream.
2.5.8 Apps that create alternate desktop/home screen environments or simulate multi-app widget experiences will be rejected.

3.1.1 In-App Purchase:

• If you want to unlock features or functionality within your app, (by way of example: subscriptions, in-game currencies, game levels, access to premium content, or unlocking a full version), you must use in-app purchase. Apps may use in-app purchase currencies to enable customers to “tip” digital content providers in the app. Apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.
• Any credits or in-game currencies purchased via in-app purchase may not expire, and you should make sure you have a restore mechanism for any restorable in-app purchases.
• Remember to assign the correct purchasability type or your app will be rejected.
• Apps should not directly or indirectly enable gifting of in-app purchase content, features, or consumable items to others.
• Apps distributed via the Mac App Store may host plug-ins or extensions that are enabled with mechanisms other than the App Store.
• Apps offering “loot boxes” or other mechanisms that provide randomized virtual items for purchase must disclose the odds of receiving each type of item to customers prior to purchase

3.2.2 Unacceptable

• (i) Creating an interface for displaying third party apps, extensions, or plug-ins similar to the App Store or as a general-interest collection.

4.2 Minimum Functionality
Your app should include features, content, and UI that elevate it beyond a repackaged website. If your app is not particularly useful, unique, or “app-like,” it doesn’t belong on the App Store. If your App doesn't provide some sort of lasting entertainment value, or is just plain creepy, it may not be accepted. Apps that are simply a song or movie should be submitted to the iTunes Store. Apps that are simply a book or game guide should be submitted to the iBooks Store.

• 4.2.2 Other than catalogs, apps shouldn’t primarily be marketing materials, advertisements, web clippings, content aggregators, or a collection of links.
• 4.2.3 Your app should work on its own without requiring installation of another app to function.

So yeah, there's a lot of reasons why Steam Link would get rejected.

App submissions and approvals is a thing between developer and Apple. Valve intentionally let this information leak probably because Apple's restrictive guidlines will never allow Steam Link to be on the store. Valve is hoping the Steam user base makes a lot of noise so Apple grants Valve and exemption. I doubt it will work. Apple loves control and Steam Link is a portal into the Linux/Windows ecosystem. Even if Steam Link were exclusive to Mac OS, Apple would likely demand Valve use Mac OS's remote desktop features rather than Steam Link.

I'd be shocked if Apple allows it.

 

[huguberhart]

Well, if you want to sleep with the devil, you've got to tickle his balls.

Valve did exactly the same thing. It's not anything special.
Microsoft put SkyDrive (remember that?) on the iOS store with storage upgrades. They pulled it off, due to Apple guidlines. They've reached an agreement tohgether as the Office package is on the iOS App Store.
On the side of Windows S.. people (after Mark Sweeney) were saying, that Windows 10 will degrade Steam, so Valve will be forced to bring it to the Windows Store. No doubt Microsoft will try to elbow WIndows S to have some kind of position on the market, but dobt in that way.
Anyway , it's all back to Valve to decide, same as putting Steam client on Windows Store..

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Windows S is intended to compete with ChromeOS: a free OS for tablets.

 

[GWComputers]

Why are those nets there?

Because of a scandal where at the Apple sector of production at Foxconn some employees made suicide jumping from the roof or windows and after that they installed the nests at the factory

 

[Gasaraki]

Look... the Steam app "violates" the App Store rules because Apple is coming out with something similar. You can't have a competitor operating in your own App Store.

Valve did exactly the same thing. It's not anything special.
Microsoft put SkyDrive (remember that?) on the iOS store with storage upgrades. They pulled it off, due to Apple guidlines. They've reached an agreement tohgether as the Office package is on the iOS App Store.
On the side of Windows S.. people (after Mark Sweeney) were saying, that Windows 10 will degrade Steam, so Valve will be forced to bring it to the Windows Store. No doubt Microsoft will try to elbow WIndows S to have some kind of position on the market, but dobt in that way.
Anyway , it's all back to Valve to decide, same as putting Steam client on Windows Store..

Wat? Steam app is mostly Windows already. They don't need a Windows 10 app. Windows S is dead, you mean Windows 10 in S mode? S mode is for locked down environments like schools, demos, low spec computers, etc.

Don't know how we got to talking about Steam on Microsoft Store...

 

[Flanker]

The message is still crystal clear.

TBH, from my first hand experience in working at Foxconn, I still don't understand why people would commit suicide. It's really creepy hearing someone from the next building jumped off (nets do f*** all btw), or someone cut his wrists in the toilet I had been using daily. If anything, the environment creates homicidal tendencies rather than suicidal ones.

Because of a scandal where at the Apple sector of production at Foxconn some employees made suicide jumping from the roof or windows and after that they installed the nests at the factory

That's not exactly true... ALL their buildings have those nets, whether the assembly lines are for Apple related products or not.

 

[huguberhart]

Look... the Steam app "violates" the App Store rules because Apple is coming out with something similar. You can't have a competitor operating in your own App Store.




Wat? Steam app is mostly Windows already. They don't need a Windows 10 app. Windows S is dead, you mean Windows 10 in S mode? S mode is for locked down environments like schools, demos, low spec computers, etc.

Don't know how we got to talking about Steam on Microsoft Store...

it seems similar: a store with competitors services in it.

 

[lexluthermiester]

And people wonder why I don't like Apple's i-devices?.. Here's yet another good reason.