Facebook Gaming Now Available to iOS Users Through Web App Due to App Store Policy

Due to limitations surrounding the distribution of cloud gaming services on the App Store, Facebook is bringing its gaming service to iOS users through a progressive web app starting today, reports The Verge.

Facebook gaming web app
Apple's ‌App Store‌ guidelines don't permit cloud-game-based apps to appear on the platform unless developers submit each app offered in the service individually for review. The limitation has been a significant point of contention between Apple and Facebook, and Microsoft, which both have cloud-game services.

In a statement to The Verge, Facebook's vice president of gaming, Vivek Sharma, said that the company has come to the same conclusion as others, such as Microsoft, that bringing cloud games to iOS users through a web app is the only possible way. The vice president also criticized Apple's guidelines, saying it "defeats the purpose of cloud gaming."

"We've come to the same conclusion as others: web apps are the only option for streaming cloud games on iOS at the moment," Facebook's vice president of gaming, Vivek Sharma, told The Verge in a statement. "As many have pointed out, Apple's policy to 'allow' cloud games on the App Store doesn't allow for much at all. Apple's requirement for each cloud game to have its own page, go through review, and appear in search listings defeats the purpose of cloud gaming. These roadblocks mean players are prevented from discovering new games, playing cross-device, and accessing high-quality games instantly in native iOS apps — even for those who aren't using the latest and most expensive devices."

Earlier in June, Microsoft made Xbox Cloud Gaming available to iOS users through Safari. Compared to normal apps available to download through the ‌App Store‌, web apps are severely limited in functionality, not being able to send user notifications, take advantage of a device's hardware, and are harder to find for users.

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Top Rated Comments

airwalk331 Avatar
50 months ago
One thing is for sure- I definitely do NOT want a Facebook gaming app on my phone! (I get this may not be everyone’s opinion)
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cesar Battistini Avatar
50 months ago
Leeches. Facebook should just disappear, it dismantled mental health in our society.

Terrible company.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KaliYoni Avatar
50 months ago
Great news! Looking forward to playing titles like...

* Privacy Invaders
* ContentFarmVille
* Super Coronio Bros.
* All Your Life Are Belong To Us
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HacKage Avatar
50 months ago
If Facebook are complaining, Apple must be doing the right thing.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
The Barron Avatar
50 months ago
If FaceBook & the ever nose growing Zuck are involved, this is & will always be a HARD PASS! :mad:
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
50 months ago
For some reason I don’t trust this with giving my personal information to this.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)