Customer outrage as illegitimate app features no gameplay
UPDATE:
Jonathan Milanovic has contacted Develop to ask his name be removed from the article. Develop has declined the request.
Milanovic claims to have removed the app from sale “as I've [realised that a] few people are not aware of what they are purchasing”. At the time of going to press the game remains listed in the UK App Store, priced at Ł0.69
Milanovic added: “I did note that it was only a gallery, and supported this by listing the game in 'book' section on the App Store.”
However, the app is listed on the App Store’s Game category.
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Apple has declined to comment.
Original article:
Apple’s reputation for safeguarding established developers suffered another setback today, as an unofficial Pokémon game that doesn’t play any content was approved for sale on the App Store.
The $5 app, called Pokémon Pocket Edition – has been developed by Jonathan Milanovic without consent from Nintendo’s nor The Pokémon Company.
The game has begun to accumulate rock-bottom reviews due to its lack of interactive elements.
“DO NOT BUY THIS!!! This is ONLY a Gallery of Pokémon photos from the games!” read one.
“We bought this because it said it was a Pokemon game and it was $5.”
Milanovic’s description of the app reads: “Marking the Pokémon series’ glorious debut on the App Store, Pokémon lets you verse and play as everyone's favorite Pokémon, Pikachu, around awesome lands.”
The app description continues: “using the stylus to control your favourite Pokémon, zip across land and sea—even through the air—on a mad dash for the finish line”.
The scam puts into perspective Apple’s existing publishing guidelines and approval processes. The iPhone company’s general laissez-faire approach to content regulation has led to numerous game clones syphoning revenues from legitimate revenues.
Lol. They couldn't even be bothered to open the box for a Pokemon product. How can Apple not realise this was a blatant scam is beyond me.
Secondly, even if the game wasn't tested two facts should have slapped them in the face. Firstly, the publishers name. Secondly, the game description looks like it was written by a four year old (rather than a Japanese translation).
$5? Poor show apple.
Dear Develop Editor, please change my last comment so the first "Secondly" is removed. If you need my real name, it's Charlie.
Unfortunately we can't edit comments.
We can take them down if they're offensive, but the ability to change others' views is TOO MUCH POWER FOR A SINGLE MAN etc
Hope you understand.
It shocking to see that after the Anton Sinelnikov fiasco with his infamous "Plants vs Zombie" and other titles that things like this are still slipping through the net.
Its also frustrating to hear about honest developers having their apps rejected for the smallest issue whilst apps like this manage to get approved. Wake up apple and get your approval staff in line!
This guy should be sent to jail.
I think we can safely say theres enough apps to make the app store the best, Would be best for the consumer if apple reverted to long approval times and stringent checks, as it was a few years ago.
No comment on the massive breach in copyright? Pokemon in any form should not ever appear on Iphone, Nintendo are never going to allow it!
This isn't the only scam in the top charts, either. Right now there's "Pokemon Yellow" in the top charts (Canadian App store) for $0.99, released Feb. 17th with "Fantasic and addictive gameplay. Six stars" 5/5
Seller: Daniel Burford
with two other nearly identical apps, one titled Digimon+ and one titled YuGiOh+
Even worse, these scams are geared towards children.
