If you’ve noticed the current iTunes “game” chart this week, you would notice this dubious entry:
Appearing here in the game store’s front page:
The intentionally ambiguous entry is masquerading as a game, but is actually a set of sound effects from said games. As to the quality (and origin/legality) of the sounds I can’t say, as I’m not about to give this ass-clown $2.50 to satisfy my curiosity. But clearly this guy is making a pant-load of cash taking advantage of people too lazy to look closely at the listing. Not only that, but the app was originally listed at $0.99 and has since increased in price. He also updated the app version (see the screen shot), apparently fixing some “bugs”. Clearly this is just an attempt to hide the 9 extremely negative reviews which say quite clearly, “this isn’t a game, save your money!”.
It’s this type of thing that worries me about where the iPad and iPhone might take computing in general. It’s not that having a central “app store” that includes these features is necessarily a bad thing, but Apple’s walled-garden, “all your apps are belong to us” implementation and flawed approval process encourages this kind of bad behaviour. Meanwhile, quality apps made by quality developers sit on the sidelines and are marginalised. This leaves very little incentive for quality development, and no alternative places for developers to go get their apps out there. This is all aside from the implications closed platforms like iPad/iPod/iPhone have for free software.
Incidentally, finding anywhere on the app store or Apple’s site to make a complaint or flag this sort of abuse is like trying to escape from a maze of inter-connected links. I’ll save you the time – here’s the app store support email link – make a complaint!
Personally, I’m getting to the point where I’m ready to chuck out my iPod and move to Android as my next phone.
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Please report the app to the App Store!
1. It has 900 reviews of lowest possible (1 star)
It has 100 totally BOGUS reviews of 5 stars that fall all over themselves.
It has almost 0 review in between.
Clearly BOGUS. The positive review are PLANTED.
Some of the reviews intentionally mislead the reader by acting like it is a game.
2. The developer does NOT list the app on its website in violation of the App Store rules.
3. Apple should know better than to accept an app with Nintendo properties without asking for proof of rights.
4. This app is RUINING the app store and STEALING money from other developers who are honest and hard working.
If you do not complain, nothing will be done. Apple will listen to your complaint and investigate.
Thank You