Home Gaming Apple gets contradictory about political app restrictions

Apple gets contradictory about political app restrictions

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Chipotle scarecrowApple has been clear that they do not want to allow games on the app store that explore complicated social or political themes, leading to some frustration by conscientious developers. Now, they have allowed a game about factory farming and processed food – but it’s okay because it’s sponsored by a ‘healthy’ fast food chain!

First of all, you have to check out this video. Chipotle, a fast food chain in the US that prides itself on delivering fresh food, sponsored this short film featuring Fiona Apple singing a haunting rendition of “Pure Imagination”. I think the video is fantastic and very well done:

Yes, it is an incredible short film about how artificial our food – and by extension, lives – have become. Well produced and put together, it certainly is an amazing promotion for their free iOS adver-game. Even though the Scarecrow is pure advertising, it still looks like it could have some playability, with features like:

FOUR UNIQUE WORLDS

  • DODGE obstacles to save your veggies in Crow Foods Factory
  • FLY animals out of confinement in Downtown Plenty
  • PLANT diverse crops in Scarecrow Farms
  • FEED wholesome food to the hungry citizens at Plentyfull Plaza

FIRST-RATE GAMEPLAY MECHANICS

  • Tilt-based physics with optional touch control
  • Four unique worlds totaling 20 dynamic levels
  • Achieving goals transforms the City of Plenty
  • Rich musical score unique to each world

All in all, doesn’t seem like a thing of controversy, until you consider all the games that have been rejected from the app store because they were deemed too political. In fact, Apple makes the following statement in their guidelines:

We view Apps different than books or songs, which we do not curate. If you want to criticize a religion, write a book. If you want to describe sex, write a book or a song, or create a medical app. It can get complicated, but we have decided to not allow certain kinds of content in the App Store.

Alright, but then why was the Scarecrow accepted? Does it have enough game play to separate it from the social comment it makes about factory farming vs local farming? Or is it simply because a large enough company was behind it? Or, has the issue of food production moved to far into the mainstream consciousness that it is no longer considered controversial or political?

I think the promo is impressive; if they spent a fraction of the cost of the short film on the game, it should be a pretty fun game. I also don’t actually have a problem with adver-games, as long as they are primarily games that advertise something rather than an interactive advertisement. However, I think Apple needs to look at their guidelines and determine how they want to deal with games that push social boundaries.

Last Updated: September 16, 2013

16 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief of Rivia

    September 16, 2013 at 14:05

    First 3/4 of movie is really bad (in that you feel bad) the rest is kinda cool

    Reply

    • Skyblue

      September 16, 2013 at 14:35

      I caught this vid in someone’s post last week, thought it was rather thought provoking propaganda :p

      Reply

  2. Hammersteyn

    September 16, 2013 at 14:09

    • RincemySniperKittEH0-O

      September 16, 2013 at 14:12

      Ouch 🙂

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        September 16, 2013 at 14:15

        Truth hurts

        Reply

    • Jonah Cash

      September 16, 2013 at 14:19

      Why would you not want to be an iAppleMan???? These guy get laid more than Bieeeeeber!!!

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        September 16, 2013 at 14:20

        Bieber gets laid by men. I don’t want that.

        Reply

        • Jonah Cash

          September 16, 2013 at 15:43

          But it is normal for chicks to get laid by men isn’t it????

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            September 16, 2013 at 15:45

            LOL

    • The Noble TiMsTeR

      September 16, 2013 at 14:25

      The s3 mini kinda sucks though…

      Reply

    • Skyblue

      September 16, 2013 at 14:33

      HAHAHA Love it!! Been jamming on my iPad again since PvZ 2 was released and it’s still a cool device but I do consider it somewhat limited since the Jedi convinced me to leave the Sith and enrolled me in Android Academy.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        September 16, 2013 at 14:42

        Play store FTW. Also changing ring tones to any MP3 is a breeze.

        Reply

    • Tarisma

      September 16, 2013 at 14:44

      Best thing I ever did

      Reply

    • Unavengedavo (aka. Frik)

      September 16, 2013 at 14:47

      I didn’t have to change… My 1st Smart phone was an HTC Wildfire and 2nd is Galaxy S3. Android all the way 😀

      Reply

  3. Skyblue

    September 16, 2013 at 14:40

    Zoe, I would urge you to please stop posting these laughable, malicious allegations lest Apple decide to pursue you via the law with regards to their policies. They already contacted a certain Mr Webster for advice on how best to pursue this matter.

    Reply

  4. PortableGamingRegion

    September 16, 2013 at 17:07

    Thanks for bringing the attention to this issue, we’ll pass the world along.

    Reply

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