Apple has rejected Valve’s Steam Link app for iOS due to “business conflicts.” The iOS device maker had originally approved the app, but withdrew the approval a few days later.
Valve’s statement, via MacRumors:
On Monday, May 7th, Apple approved the Steam Link app for release. On Weds, May 9th, Valve released news of the app. 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, explaining the Steam Link app simply functions as a LAN-based remote desktop similar to numerous remote desktop applications already available on the App Store. Ultimately, that appeal was denied leaving the Steam Link app for iOS blocked from release. 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.
Valve was unsuccessful in swaying Apple’s opinion so far, and is now hoping media attention may push Apple to reconsider.
The Steam Link app for iOS, first announced on May 9, would allow Steam users to “experience their Steam library of games on their Android (phone, tablet, and TV) devices while connected to the same 5Ghz network or wired Ethernet as their Steam gaming computer (PC, Linux, Mac).”
Valve had planned to release the Steam Link app this week, and had been working on adding Steam Link support for the Steam Controller and Made for iPhone controllers.
We’ll keep you posted if we hear of any new developments.