IPHONE NEWS
C64 taken down from the App Store due to BASIC glitch
Apple not happy with the code, BASICally |
Product: C64
| Developer: Manomio
| Genre: Collection, Retro
It was a glorious few moments for retro gamers when Manomio's
C64 emulator
was finally approved by Apple and released to the eager, nostalgic iPhone public.
Then, calamity! It was gone again. Apparently some wily users figured out how to access the Commodore 64 BASIC system that was originally packaged with the emulator - something that Apple wasn't too happy with, given the nature of the interpreter's code.
By setting the keyboard to 'always on', launching a game and restarting BASIC, players got into the 'empty shell' of their
C64 emulator.
Manomio tells Pocket Gamer that it had only just discovered the trick itself and put a new build together and sent in to Apple, though unfortunately too late to prevent
C64 from being pulled. A glitch in putting together the latest build (which was approved by Apple) had hidden the BASIC system, rather than removing it.
The developer is now hard at work setting up a meeting with Apple to clarify matters and get
C64 back to the retro gaming public who put the app in the top 20 paid games list across most territories inside of two days, and even made it into the top 10 in certain areas before disappearing.
Although it's uncertain at the moment what will happen, a new build is in submission to the App Store.
C64 was personally approved by Apple management after the difficulties of passing the approval criteria by normal means, so hopefully it'll be given an equally close look for the BASIC-less update and put back on the shelf as quickly as possible.
Watch this space, and if you want to help let Apple hear your cheers of joy for iPhone retro gaming in the comments section below.
Taylor | 8 September 2009
This really is stupid. What possible risk to the iPhone can there be from an emulated C64 BASIC? iPhone apps are constrained within their sandboxes, and thus can't wreak havoc all over the rest of the phone.
Vince | 8 September 2009
Sandboxes aren't always perfect, and someone could write a third party app that drains the battery, and blames apple for it.
Pat Gunn | 8 September 2009
Much more likely Apple is afraid of people using their phones in ways that threaten their financial interests (e.g. skype-like things). Apple's not doing this for their customers.
Jesse | 8 September 2009
@ Pat Gunn
how does skype loose apple money? or apps like it?
if anything those add value to the brand. Might suck for AT&T however.
Loadedmind | 8 September 2009
Folks that tend to believe Apple's first priority are it's customers are, unfortunately, sadly mistaken. I can't believe this move is any different. Take the iPhone jailbreak, for instance. Clearly Apple hasn't the testicular fortitude to allow an exponentially higher factor of usability "from the factory". Classic Apple, IMO.
GaAsP | 8 September 2009
The Emulated CPU 'is' an Interpreter, so write a 6502 application to run on the emulator. If you can load a game, you can load anything.
Anonymous | 8 September 2009
This is what you get when you use proprietary software. Remember apple is pragmatic, they will only open something when it gains them alot. So instead they apply unncessary control to a platform. Even worse, you guys have bought into it. Fight for your digital rights, choose what software you run and how you want to run it on your OWN personal devices. Don't let others tell you what you can and cannot do with devices you own.
Joined:
Jul 2009
Post count:
54
It really doesn't matter why Apple didn't want to approve the app with BASIC in. Manomio were told to take it out, and they chose to be dishonest and hide it behind a simple button press instead.
Apple are free to set whatever random and arbitrary rules they like on their own system and if a developer breaks those rules, they run the risk of having their app pulled. Seemples.
Bonkers | 9 September 2009
Here is how Apple may loose money with that attitude: I sold my iPhone and got a G1.
Near-Sighted | 9 September 2009
You really can't see how Apple loses money by allowing non-controlled apps? Skype is a great example. Apple makes bags of money off their deal with AT&T. Skype on an iPhone = no deal with AT&T. This does not take an economics degree.
