Microsoft to judge: Apple’s rules blocked our gaming service too

The abstruse App Store rules stopped Microsoft from rolling out a cloud gaming service meant to tap into iOS users, Microsoft vice president of Xbox business development, Lori Wright revealed during Apple's antitrust case. — Bloomberg

Even for Microsoft Corp., one of the world’s most prominent technology companies, Apple Inc.’s App Store proved impenetrable.

That was the upshot of testimony Wednesday at Apple’s antitrust trial from Lori Wright, Microsoft’s gaming, media and entertainment vice president, who recounted how her company couldn’t sway the iPhone maker to let Xbox roll out its cloud gaming service through the App Store and tap into iOS users.

Epic Games Inc. is counting on Wright to support claims in its lawsuit that Apple thwarts competition by keeping a tight grip over App Store operations with onerous rules and policies that are unfair to developers and consumers.