An Apple patent for "Enabling Interactive Service for Cloud Rendering Gaming in 5G Systems" was recently published in Europe. While the patent was originally filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization in February earlier this year, its surfacing proves interestingly timed and topical. Apple recently confirmed that cloud gaming services like Google Stadia and Xbox xCloud are blocked from the App Store for violating the storefront's guidelines.
There's nothing particularly revelatory about Apple's patent, other than it's notably focused on 5G networks. Otherwise, it describes a typical cloud gaming system like its competitors already provide, saying that cloud gaming allows "direct and on-demand video streaming of games onto different computing devices through the use of a thin client." The patent goes on to explain details like setting up a subscription for the service and more technical ideas regarding spreading power and resource requirements across a network.
It deserves to be acknowledged that Apple doesn't currently have a cloud gaming service, nor has it announced one. That it registered a patent for a 5G cloud gaming service doesn't necessarily imply that Apple is developing such a service, either, but, if it wanted to, it absolutely could. Most Apple users, as well as most game players, would likely be surprised if Apple wasn't doing exactly that.
The controversy stems from Apple banning Stadia and xCloud from the App Store. Or perhaps it's more correct that it stems from Epic Games' recent lawsuit against Apple regarding accused monopolistic practices with its App Store. While Epic's lawsuit is more focused on Apple's "walled garden" storefront and 30% fees on all purchases made through its devices, the cloud gaming issue is certainly related. Apple banning cloud services while developing its own could certainly be seen evidence supporting Epic's claims.
Source: Patently Apple