Steam Link for iOS beta loses game purchasing feature in bid to enter App Store

Valve has updated the Steam Link beta app for their iOS testers, this time removing the feature that lets users purchase apps from the app.

This change, however inconvenient it might be, appears to pave the way for an eventual iOS App Store approval.

Last month Valve submitted their app to the iOS store, expecting a quick approval as they had already been accepted to the Google Play Store. The firm shot down their submission, and a subsequent appeal citing  “business conflicts.”

“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.” Valve explained last month, “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.”

Apple has now been working with the firm in order to create a version of the app that both sides would find acceptable. With Valve making a move to remove what could be seen as business conflicts, the app takes a step towards iOS availability.

Via Engadget.