Apple removes Big Fish subscription service from it's App Store

Gormond

24-11-2011

Hey,

Interesting report here about a new games subscription service from Big Fish http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-1...app-store.html

Originally Posted by Big Fish Games founder Paul Thelen:
“I was surprised by the move because Big Fish had worked with Apple for several weeks to ensure that it met the requirements for recurring monthly charges made through the App Store, a method most commonly used by magazines and newspaper publishers.

"It was officially approved," Thelen said. Apple had even seen the app's press release before it went out earlier today, he said.”

Poor show to treat any developer this way, now they have spent alot of cash on an App and they are sitting in limbo about why it was removed.

Gormond.

ACU

24-11-2011

Not good at all by apple. Apple do have abit of history when it comes to treating developers badly. I remember one story one developer submitted an app (I think it was for teather although not sure). App rejected it. Then a few months later Apple released the same app, even using a very similar icon. The developer was a student I believe. He complained, apple said send us your cv, and we will take a look at it.

grumpyoldbat

24-11-2011

It seems that the reason Apple pulled the app was that the developer had limited the service, so users couldn't play, only sign up to be notified when they could play.

Not great work by the devs there.

Gormond

24-11-2011

Originally Posted by grumpyoldbat:
“It seems that the reason Apple pulled the app was that the developer had limited the service, so users couldn't play, only sign up to be notified when they could play.

Not great work by the devs there.”

Ah that is pretty poor.

alanwarwic

24-11-2011

So what about the ad supported play?

grumpyoldbat

25-11-2011

Originally Posted by alanwarwic:
“So what about the ad supported play?”

Nope, the app just displayed the email signup and said they'd had to limit the service.

ACU

25-11-2011

If that is the case, then that is crap on the devs part.

Gormond

25-11-2011

Originally Posted by ACU:
“If that is the case, then that is crap on the devs part.”

Not only that but the Paul Thelan said he had no idea why Apple pulled it and if that was the case he is lieing.

alanwarwic

25-11-2011

Almost impossible to say with the confidentiality agreements between Apple and all deveopers..
It may be the cross platform nature of these apps that are the cause.

Apple get their 30% anyway so it is all a bit strange.

grumpyoldbat

25-11-2011

Originally Posted by alanwarwic:
“Almost impossible to say with the confidentiality agreements between Apple and all deveopers..
It may be the cross platform nature of these apps that are the cause.

Apple get their 30% anyway so it is all a bit strange.”

This was iPad only and only available on the US App Store, so limited to begin with. It sounds like their servers couldn't cope with the demand, so they limited access. Either way it's disappointing. Maybe it'll come back once they've got the issues fixed. The Americans are all off for Thanksgiving at the moment, so I doubt we'll get any answers until at least next week!