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The Steam Link Mobile App Has Been Blocked By Apple
Valve has reported that the Steam Link app, which was announced only two weeks ago, has been rejected by Apple and has effectively ended the chances of getting the app on iOS devices
The app was designed to make a mobile device function in the same way as a Steam link, allowing users to stream games over the same WiFi network from their PC running Steam. Valve has stated that the app had already been approved by Apple, but has been retroactively blocked and the appeal denied.
"On Monday, May 7, Apple approved the Steam Link app for release. On Wednesday, May 9, Valve released news of the app," Valve has said in a press release. "The following morning, Apple revoked its approval citing business conflicts with app guidelines that had allegedly not been realized by the original review team."
Valve appealed to Apple on the basis that many similar streaming programs exists on the App store, but were denied.
"Ultimately, that appeal was denied leaving the Steam Link app for iOS blocked from release," Valve continued. "The team here spent many hours on this project and the approval process, so we're clearly disappointed. But we hope Apple will reconsider in the future."
Apple has reversed decisions about apps before, generally under public pressure, such as reversing decisions on apps denied due to controversial political subject matter. We have reached out to Apple for comment, but did not receive a reply by the time of writing. The Steam Link app is currently available on Android in beta form.
Our Take
I'm really curious what the reasoning is for blocking the app, unless Apple just sees it as competition for buying games on their own store, which would explain the "business conflicts" response. If that's the case, that feels like Apple exerting way more oversight than is necessary or wanted by the user base.
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