There’s a space game called Buzz Aldrin’s Space Program Manager. Aside from endorsing the game, the space pioneer himself has actually helped out on development as a consultant. You’d think that would be good enough for Apple to approve the game, but hahaha, no.
Pocket Tactics reports that the game has had its submission to the App Store blocked on the grounds it “contains well-known third parties”. Pretty sure Buzz is aware of this, since he was a consultant on the project.
To some extent, I sympathise with Apple’s plight. They’re drowning in games to check, most of which must be absolute garbage. But this, this is a bad look.
Here’s what the game looks like in action. It’s a spiritual successor to Buzz Aldrin’s Race into Space, an old PC game (something publishers Slitherine are pretty good at).
Comments
10 responses to “Apple Blocks Buzz Aldrin Game That Buzz Aldrin Helped Make”
How is ‘containing well known third parties’ a reason for blocking an app?
I assume there are a number of reasons, but the main one would probably be some shovelware trying to legitimise their game by either including well known people and/or products & organisations where not appropriately licenced.
Because the ‘well known third party’ finds their likeness/name has been used in a game without their permission so they sue the pants off apple (just like everyone else does! 😉
Its the next generation of patent trolling…. DMCA Trolling.
You dont need a lawyer to right a letter anymore, you can have a bot repeatedly take down software / youtube / twitch streams until they pay you, its how Nintendo plans to do this
I’d rather them be a little over zealous on blocking than the opposite.
I’m sure it will be sorted out soon.
It already has been, it seems. https://twitter.com/Iain_Slitherine/status/572811867334316032
and yet they let rip off games with no actual gameplay through just fine
Not up on the app store yet, I guess it still has to jump through some hoops. Binged on some of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s podcast Startalk Radio today so totally in the mood for this too.
I loved the classic Buzz Aldrin game, I still play it occasionally, can’t wait for a spiritual sequel.
People still use apple products?
😉
I sure dont sympathise with Apple. They made their bed and deserve everything they get. Same with Droid. Exaxtly the reason I don’t game on mobile devices
Sympathy for Apple?
Not even once.
CAREFUL! THEY’RE RUFFLED.
Anyway, this’ll get through eventually. App store roadblocks are Apple’s specialty.
It’s a simple as sending an email before submission and this simply wouldn’t have been a problem