Valve has quietly published its Steam Link app to the Mac App Store, bringing game streaming to the Mac; the solution has been available on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV for quite some time.
Steam started streaming games on iOS in 2018, but Apple removed the app due to a policy violation and game streaming was not allowed. These problems have now been resolved and Steam Link meets Apple's requirements.
Games are run on a powerful computer operating in the same local network and are played in real time on the end device, which also sends the commands from the controller to the gaming console in real time. Steam recommends WiFi in the 5GHz band or even better Ethernet for the connection.
Apple continues to ban Valve's original concept of running games on servers on the Internet via Steam Link and streaming the graphics to traditionally under-equipped Macs (as well as iPhones and iPads). Critics claim that Apple's reason for banning Steam Link is that it does not earn commissions on games purchased through the Steam service, while Apple cites security reasons.
Apple claims that every app or in-app purchase in the app store must comply with Apple's rules for child safety, microphone access, ratings and soon the privacy label. Subscribing to a streaming service, Apple could not guarantee the security of its customers when accessing content outside of Apple's servers.
However, Apple makes exceptions for media applications such as streaming services Amazon Prime and Netflix, although they have no control over the program being watched.
For more information read:How to use Steam on Mac
You may be interested in reading:Best Mac for GamingInBest Mac games.
This report was first published onMacwelt. Translation by Karen Haslam.
