We are already quickly approaching the four month anniversary of Apple’s decision to ban developer Epic Games from its App Store. Back in the summer, owing to a supposed fear over the security of its users – and not at all a dissatisfaction with Epic Games’ ability to workaround the App Stores’ commission systems via in-game purchases – the tech giant made it impossible for users to download any content from the developer.
The trouble is, Apple is no stranger to controversies with third-parties, and their move against other big tech names continued when it became known that, in accordance with their heightened concern for user safety, the App Store would not support the new cloud gaming services offered by Microsoft and Google.
This was a significant move. At a time when the entire gaming world is undergoing significant changes, Apple effectively made clear their intentions to bar gamers from experiencing it – even before it had officially arrived. So, is Apple taking a big risk, and is their longstanding lead within the consumer tech industry compromised by this inability to move forward and loosen their hold on third party developers?
Security for Gamers
So, how safe is gaming really? There are, as with any creative industry, those few time-honoured favourites that give rise to questionable iterations to which fans should, of course, demonstrate plenty of caution.
There are a few notable examples of this. The online casino industry, for instance, represents one of the most popular gaming communities in the world. Players continue to return to the top online casinos not only so that they can be sure of the quality of the games, but also of the strong measures taken to ensure player security and fairness. While many other, lesser known sites will appear online each and every year, it is only those sites that are able to operate on-side with the players – rather than against them, both in terms of fairness and security – that will thrive.
The same goes for any developer working in any niche within the gaming industry. Popularity, security, and quality go hand in hand, and only those that offer complete assurance to gamers looking to invest their money will rise to the top of the leader boards. Apple is, of course, right to want to protect its users; this has always been their priority with any device they create.
The trouble is that gamers know how to find their own benchmark for safety. We are all aware of the risks, and we are adept at navigating our own way through the offerings to find those quality titles that pose no risk.
Is Apple Taking a Risk?
Gaming holds significant sway over almost every area in which Apple holds significant ground, and their Macs have long been known to fall short of, say, Microsoft’s ability to offer casual and advanced gaming to players.
Users are frustrated with the ways in which Apple dictates the App Store, and many are left feeling as though there is a war waging between the tech giant and an entire industry. This, of course, puts Apple into a difficult position – particularly as many are now looking to invest in a new device capable of supporting 5G.
Users are, understandably, reticent to take a risk on a phone that may consistently bar the best names in game development from reaching them, and Apple would be well-advised to repair fraying relations with the gaming giants before it is too late.