That's it. I am done with Apple - already!

jigglybean

After waiting almost another 10 days, Apple have again rejected my app due to an advert from Chartboost that shows a game being advertised on both App Store and Google Play. Can you f***ng believe it?!

It's clear to me that trying to publish on Apple is nothing more than a pointless exercise in stupidity, as Apple make you jump through so many hoops to ensure that you are indeed ONLY using a Mac to publish from, then make the review process as long and drawn out as possible.

I simply can't be bothered to wait another 10 days+ for them to find something else to complain about that will enforce another 10 days+ of waiting for to them to find something else. Utter stupidity, but then again, it is Apple.

RondoRocket

When I submit to Apple I feel like I'm taking a test I have to score a 100% on or I have to take the class over again - and I do mean class.

Lovejoy

@jigglybean I suggest you let Chartboost know as well as @Dan_Chartboost seeing as this may be affecting more developers.

MentalDonkeyGames

Enable the "test mode" in chartboost when the game is in review. Apple won't see any real ads, only the chartboost test ad.

UtopianGames

Also had a couple of free users email me today about being rejected because of advertising so i can see trouble ahead.

jigglybean

Good idea Nipa but its just ridiculous. 25 days of waiting and then this pops up. Im probably not going to publish my app on their store as its just not worth the bother. Dancing around like an idiot to get 'certificates' just because they need to check I am using a Mac. I've a good mind to take them to the EU about competition rules as it's clearly a breach.

MentalDonkeyGames

@jigglybean I understand the frustration. But in my experience, it´s worth it. Even though my first two games are not that awesome, i´ve had a LOT more downloads from the AppStore compared to Google Play or Amazon.

I think your "Catch 100 Balls" would do nicely in the AppStore.

Try once more. "Third time´s the charm" as some say

jigglybean

@NipaDidIt said:
jigglybean I understand the frustration. But in my experience, it´s worth it. Even though my first two games are not that awesome, i´ve had a LOT more downloads from the AppStore compared to Google Play or Amazon.

I think your "Catch 100 Balls" would do nicely in the AppStore.

Try once more. "Third time´s the charm" as some say

LOL indeed. But the juggling just to submit another version is just 'urgh'. Im planning an update for GP versions, so will probably submit it with that - maybe. I've a few more games that will do well on Apple, plus I have just paid £70/$140 for a developer licence + £800 for my iMac - so it would be a waste. Oh well lol

Lovejoy

@jigglybean Can you post the screenshot apple sent you in the rejection?

gingagaming

Ive never used chartboost on the AppStore, I use it only on Android and use iADs on iOS, however @NipaDidIt answer seems very plausible. +1

jigglybean

@Lovejoy said:
jigglybean Can you post the screenshot apple sent you in the rejection?

I will when I am bothered to switch on my Mac. Because I may end up throwing it out of the window if I do.

iamcartez

@NipaDidIt said:
Enable the "test mode" in chartboost when the game is in review. Apple won't see any real ads, only the chartboost test ad.

This doesn't work either - I was rejected because the test ad showed from Chartboost and the reviewer said my game was a demo because of it. But I toggled off test mode in Chartboost and resubmitted the same build and it passed all within the same hour.

jonmulcahy

did you try contacting chartboost to see if they can do anything?

Chunkypixels

@NipaDidIt ...Yup... Can confirm what @iamcartez said, Apple will reject an app that has advertising set to "test mode"

I found out by accident, but can confirm it

MentalDonkeyGames

@iamcartez @Chunkypixels Good to know. Thanks for the info.

jay2dx

Hi mate this is rubbish news I know but we have to remember most Dev studios have a rigours testing procedure before submitting a game for publication! Just be thankful that it's not costing you 40K to submit a game like it does on ps4 Xbox one, we actually have it pretty good here! And this is coming from someone who used to be a games tester for playstation for 7 years!

Be rigorous in your testing procedure and draw up your own testing plan! It's all you can do really, but please keep releasing games for iOS, you can only benefit from it,

Good luck dude

JDX

jay2dx

Also just to add, with chartboost you can run your own campaign, so basically you can curate what you advertise etc

jigglybean

@jay2dx said:
Also just to add, with chartboost you can run your own campaign, so basically you can curate what you advertise etc

This app is set to iOS. Essentially some advertiser has slapped a Google Play logo AND iOS on their advert. There is simply nothing that I can do. I have questioned Apple stating that if they actually click the advert, does it take them to the iOS store or GP store - and, that if they boot the app up again, there will be different ads displayed.

I just can't see myself waiting another 20+ days for them to probably find something else that is plain stupid.

superbullet

I love apple!! I've been rejected 4 times, and uploaded 4 binarys, because of questionable content. Apple wants all apps to be +4 rating. Apparently guns or women in business suits can not be shown on the App Store now. No matter, my new flappy bird reskin, rehash, retrash is gonna be awesome!! (for +4 year olds) I bet they won't delete it for at least 1-2 minutes!!!

Lovejoy

@superbullet said:
Apparently guns or women in business suits can not be shown on the App Store now.

Apple is too liberal to allow this, specially the women in suit one since the devil in disguise is trying to become president of the US. Politics my friend.

jay2dx

@jigglybean said:
I just can't see myself waiting another 20+ days for them to probably find something else that is plain stupid.

Yes what i mean is you can select which adverts are shown! i.e. just game adverts or something else! have a look in the campaign section of chart boost, there are more options than just IOS..

jigglybean

@jay2dx said:
Yes what i mean is you can select which adverts are shown! i.e. just game adverts or something else! have a look in the campaign section of chart boost, there are more options than just IOS..

In this app, I have blocked any 17+ adverts for example and it was successfully rated 'E' for Everyone on Google. If an advertiser decides to slap both iOS and a GP 'now available on'.... platform, there isn't much more you can do.

Call it bad luck that this was the first advert they saw. I have challenged them and have no idea how long it takes them to respond but I will not be waiting 20 days again to submit an app.

Lovejoy

@jigglybean said:
Call it bad luck that this was the first advert they saw. I have challenged them and have no idea how long it takes them to respond but I will not be waiting 20 days again to submit an app.

Its the weekend so they will most likely respond on monday.

Dan_Chartboost

@jigglybean I believe I responded to something similar in another thread, but since we began hearing about this, we've begun pausing certain campaigns and obviously working with advertisers to update their creatives for iOS.

You all can also try setting up Direct Deals with each other to run advertising campaigns to each others games if you'd like as well.

Chr0nos

I just finished publishing my first app to Apple and I couldnt believe what a tedious, 'hoop-jumping' process it was. It took them nearly two weeks to review my app, which thankfully was accepted on the first go, but that said, I didnt have any chartboost stuff on mine. It can be a very frustrating process.