FORNITE fans may soon be able to play the game on their iPhones again following its dramatic ban from the Apple App Store.
That’s because the battle royale hit will soon be available on a cloud gaming service run by US tech firm Nvidia, the BBC reported Thursday.
2
Nvidia Corp has developed a version of its GeForce cloud gaming service that runs in the mobile web browser Safari, the report said.
Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while Epic declined to comment.
Nvidia said it would not comment on new clients coming to the service, or on the availability of any game on unannounced or unreleased platforms.
The company is expected to announce updates to its GeForce Now service later this month with support for Apple’s iOS.
2
Apple’s rules require cloud gaming companies to submit each game title in the catalogue as a separate app for Apple to review.
The master catalogue app would then provide links to the individual titles.
That requirement puts a hurdle to the seamless experience cloud gaming companies intend to provide their users.
Microsoft, which has a game-streaming feature in its premium Xbox Game Pass subscription, has previously criticised Apple for such rules.
Fortnite was banned from the App Store in August over a legal dispute regarding the large commission Apple charges iPhone apps.
Video game streaming – how does it work?
We explain it all…
- When you watch a movie, the images you see are already prepared
- That’s why very unsophisticated computers inside your TV, DVD player, or computer can playback film footage
- But video games render the visuals in real-time, because a game never knows what you’ll do next
- That means you need much more computing heft to produce game visuals, compared to a standard movie
- So if you want amazing 4K PC-style graphics, you’ll need to fork out for an expensive computer
- Alternatively, you could use game streaming technology
- The idea is that a company like Google, Microsoft or Sony would handle the generation of the visuals on powerful computers at its own HQ
- Then it would send what’s effectively a video of that game to your smartphone
- You tap and play, and those commands get sent back to Microsoft or Sony, which then inputs them into the game, and sends you the visuals again
- Because modern internet connections are so fast, this all happens in milliseconds
- The resulting effect is 4K PC-style graphics on a smartphone – which is only possible because it’s not the phone itself rendering the graphics
- It also means that you could potentially be playing an Xbox or PlayStation game on your console, and then leave the house and carry on playing using your iPhone
- This sort of technology could eventually kill off gaming consoles for good, because all you’d need is a TV with game-streaming tech built in, and a controller to play with
- But game streaming is still trying to get off the ground
- Sony bought a game-streaming called OnLive, but shut it down in 2015
- Google launched the relatively successful Stadia last year
- And Microsoft is currently preparing to launch its xCloud streaming service
The US firm takes a 30 per cent cut of cash earned by apps through the App Store – Fortnite maker Epic Games was blocked from the store after it tried to dodge this fee.
A bitter court battle between Epic and Apple rages on.
Epic is asking a Northern California court to make Apple put Fortnite back on the App Store after the California firm blocked the app last month.
The ban means fans worldwide can no longer download the app from the App Store or receive updates for the app.
Epic says that daily activity of Fornite players on iPhone has slumped by 60 per cent since the ban.
Epic is suing Apple over the restrictions, which were issued after Epic violated in-app payment guidelines.
Apple cited a direct payment feature rolled out on the Fortnite app on August 13 as the violation.
Previously, Epic used in-app payment systems that gave Apple a 30 per cent share of any funds generated from player purchases.
Epic sued in US court seeking no money from Apple, but rather an injunction that would end many of the company’s app store practices.
The California firm has come under fire in recent years for operating a “monopoly” in which it stifles competition and takes colossal cuts on sales made through its App Store.
The full court hearing began at the end of August and it isn’t looking like Fortnite will be reappearing on the App Store any time soon.
Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 4 adds Marvel superheroes Iron Man, Thor and Groot in massive update
GAME ON!
PS5 review: Xbox rival has better games and the BEST joypad – but it’s no looker
BOXING CLEVER
Xbox Series X review: The future of gaming is fast, gorgeous and finally here
BYE BUY
PS5 sales will be online only on launch day with no stock in UK or US shops
SWITCHED ON
Nintendo Switch Black Friday 2020: Best deals and bundles to look out for
GAME SAVER
Xbox Series S review: Next-gen graphics at just over HALF the price of top model
GUN FUN
New Call of Duty Black Ops game for 2020 ‘set in Cold War’ with revamped Warzone
In other news, check out our early take on Call of Duty Cold War’s multiplayer.
We recently spoke to one of Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War’s designers about the game’s multiplayer mode.
And, we recently spoke to Warzone’s creators about the future of the spin-off game.
What do you think of the battle between Epic Games and Apple? Let us know in the comments!
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]
This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
