Why Apple can [REDACTED] :)

AfterBurnett

Okay, so I submitted Pranstar: Drum Kit Edition to the app store. I know, you're thinking "oh !@#$%, not another drum kit". That was exactly why I made it... only my drum kit, after 20 taps appears to crack the iPod screen. It works very well and I tricked several workmates who were shocked as they thought they'd ruined my iPod Touch. It was a fun little app that got a few laughs. Has great art too, thanks to DebugDesign.

Here's what Apple had to say about it:

Dear Mr. Burnett,

Thank you for submitting your application to App Store. Unfortunately, your application, Prankstar, cannot be added to the App Store because it uses standard iPhone screen images in a non-standard way, potentially resulting in user confusion. Changing the behavior of standard iPhone graphics, actions, and images, or simulating failures of those graphics, actions, or images is a violation of the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement which requires applications to abide by the Human Interface Guidelines. A screenshot has been attached for your reference.

If you would like to share this app with friends and family, we recommend you review the Ad Hoc method on the Distribution tab of the iPhone Developer Portal for details. This will allow you to distribute your application to a small group of people of your choosing.

Best Regards,

App Review Team
iPhone Developer Program

Luckily, I have a backup plan and if Apple reject me again, I will hunt down and kill Steve Jobs (not really, I like his computers and gadgets too much).

Crazybreadman

You aren't the first one to get this rejection for the cracked screen appearance. I remember a couple people on the forums got this before. Pretty lame, but some people really are stupid enough to think their device is broken and would try to take it in to Apple for repair.

Eastbound

Maybe you could trick the person, and then have a message pop up saying that the screen isn't in fact broken.

AfterBurnett

Well they should be removed from society, not my app removed from the store. LOL. It's VERY clear in the descrition what the app does. It's even called Prankstar - it's so people can prank their friends who keep saying "ooh, ooh, cn I have a look at your iPhone?".

Still, I've just finished the update and I'll resubmit. Should be okay now. Different kind of prank

AfterBurnett

@Eastbound... I'd have thought that would be obvious when the app returns to the title screen and/or the user presses the home button. Apple are wankers. Period.

jon2s

So rename it drumster. Then only allow the cracked screen to show if the 4 corners of the screen are touched. After 22 drum beats the screen will crack. Apple will think it is just another drum kit but you will know better.

QuinnZoneStudios

At least in this case, Apple is consistent. I believe they are a great company and because of Apple, I got into computers, animation and even had Steve Jobs for my boss at Pixar for 3 years. He attended my Pixar graduation and was quite approachable there the whole time.

None of us are forced to develop for Apple or use their gear and there's nothing to stop anyone from creating their own computer company instead. Using Apple is like driving a very cool sports car. Wishing it were an S.U.V. is not going to change it fro being a sports car.

We are living in great times now where we are seeing a democratization of creating entertainment in any way we choose, be it making movies or games. It's easy to forget how
fortunate we are.

Please don't be put off by what gets rejected but be excited by what gets accepted. Although I gotta say the app sure sounded cool lol!

Good luck with the new version, go with the flow as we used to say and may it make you pots of cash

AfterBurnett

Thanks, it was really just a quick GS test so I'm not too worried (apart from spending money I don't have on artwork). I should have no issues with my "proper" project - a side-scrolling shoot'em up. If Apple reject that I WILL kill someone. LOL.

And yeah, I love Apple gear though I wish Commodore had stuck around longer so we could have some more healthy competition like back in the 80s... if Jack Tramiel hadn't been booted from his own company the world could be a very different place right now... ah... living in the past... :P

JamesZeppelin

Yeah, that one is def right in the terms.
No surprise on that rejection.

I have had stuff rejected too, but i kinda knew it was coming and was just trying to get away with it.

I agree with Mike. At the end of the day it is someone else's company that doesnt have to let us upload anything. And most companies dont even let the little guy have this kind of opportunity.

You certainly couldn't pay $99 buck and upload just about anything to wii or ps3.

It costs thousands to even be considered and then you have to really know coding and how to use their debug kits and everything.

On a side note, I had an original Xbox debug unit i found in a garbage can at E3. Not that user friendly.

AfterBurnett

JamesZeppelin said:
Yeah, that one is def right in the terms.
No surprise on that rejection.

But do people REALLY read through all that !@#$%? Hahaha.

iPhoneDevForMe

With Apple, you really SHOULD! They are anal about every little detail, and it's work knowing everything you can about what they wont allow. You might spend weeks or longer on a game just to find that it cant be used at all.

Usually it will be something that can be changed like a single image or game play feature but you never know exactly what it will be and it can suck alot!

I personally have not read the whole thing, so I should take my own advice!

-Kyle

AfterBurnett

Yeah, I'm too lazy. I reckon my actual game should be fine. All art/music and coding done by me. It's not a copy of anything and doesn't infringe on any copyright whatsoever. They might knock it back for being TOO AWESOME though. LOL.

iPhoneDevForMe

Haha, I would not be surprised if they did kick it back for that!

ORBZ

just swap the screen to an android screen shot and say "Oh no you've accidentally installed android!"

AfterBurnett

HAHAHAHAHA. Yeah, I reckon that would be accepted. NOT. lol.

mrfunkleberry

Just before the graphic appears, let them read a disclaimer...

The following image will contain an optical illusion. Using amazingly sophisticated imaging techniques, the screen will appear to be broken. However, It is only an illusion, a trick, your screen will not actually be broken. (Unless of course you dropped your iDevice whilst reading this long disclaimer). But assuming you haven't dropped your iDevice, your screen will remain unharmed.

Those of a nervous disposition, may want to lay their iDevice down on a flat surface. We also recommend writing a note and putting that next to your iDevice. Something like "This is a trick! my screen is NOT broken! (arrow to iDevice)."

It's a bit like before when you where dumbly tapping on drums. They weren't real tiny drums, merely a graphical representation of drums. Cool huh? OK ready? Remember, don't freak out, stay calm, breath deeply....

I have read and understood this disclaimer and wish to continue []
I can't determine the difference between a illustration and reality []
Why was this disclaimer necessary? i mean, it kinda spoilt, the joke. []

AfterBurnett

That's what I was thinking... EXACTLY.

mrfunkleberry

Great minds and all that. Sounds like you can make a joke, and stick it to apple at the same time. Good luck!

synthesis

Adding a disclaimer probably still won't fly with Apple. They just don't approve cracked glass apps. Many have tried...all have failed to get one through. Same is true for poop apps.

eboy

uhhh, i am really offended by the topic of this post. I think kids are reading this and its not appropriate at all...

quantumsheep

'sack my duck'?

I didn't understand it either...

Crazybreadman

synthesis said:
Adding a disclaimer probably still won't fly with Apple. They just don't approve cracked glass apps. Many have tried...all have failed to get one through. Same is true for poop apps.

What about 'The Day of Poo'?

Photics

This thread is offensive. I don't think it belongs in this forum... not without some cleaning up. I've had many instances of frustration with Apple too, but I didn't see the need for masked profanity.

Yodapollo

Sorry, fellas. Had to change the title, I think you all know why.

I'm not closing down the thread. I totally understand the need to vent from time to time and, aside from the previous title, I haven't seen anything entirely inappropriate for the forums.

--Yodapollo

AfterBurnett

Geez, I even used asterisks and all!