The Dark Side of the App Store: A Case of Blatant Game Theft
The world of video games is no stranger to controversy, and the latest development is a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of game cloning and code theft. In a shocking turn of events, a new iOS game called My Baby or Not! has been accused of being a blatant copy of a popular web game, Diapers, Please!. The similarities between the two games are striking, with identical gameplay, screenshots, and even descriptions. But what’s even more astonishing is that My Baby or Not! was climbing the paid App Store charts, attracting an estimated 20,000 downloads before being removed by Apple.
The Case of Diapers, Please! and My Baby or Not!
Diapers, Please! is a simple yet engaging web game created by the small development team at VoltekPlay. The game was released on itch.io, a popular platform for indie game developers, and quickly gained popularity. Just three days later, My Baby or Not! appeared on the App Store, with screenshots and gameplay that looked identical to Diapers, Please!. The two games even shared the same description, which raised suspicions among gamers and developers alike.
VoltekPlay, the creators of Diapers, Please!, were alerted to the existence of My Baby or Not! by a sudden surge in traffic on their itch.io page, all coming from Google organic search. After adding a player poll to their page, they discovered that some players were mentioning the real game name, Diapers, Please!, in the comments of popular TikTok videos featuring the iOS version.
The Consequences of Code Theft
The consequences of code theft are severe, not only for the original creators but also for the gaming community as a whole. The developers at VoltekPlay have filed a DMCA copyright claim against My Baby or Not!, but Apple’s response has been lukewarm, encouraging the parties to resolve the claim directly. The team at VoltekPlay has also been left with a significant financial loss, having earned nothing from the situation and paying for a lawyer consultation.
The App Store’s Role in Game Theft
The App Store’s guidelines specifically prohibit developers from copying popular apps or making minor changes to another app’s name or UI. However, the “on the App Store” clause seems to prioritize protection for games released within Apple’s walled garden, penalizing games released on the web using open standards like HTML5.
This is not the first time we’ve seen this issue arise. In 2022, the sudden success of web game Wordle led to dozens of iOS copycats that Apple took days to purge from the App Store listings. We’ve also seen legitimately original games removed from the App Store after copycats filed international copyrights for a title that the original developer didn’t secure.
The Future of Game Development
The case of Diapers, Please! and My Baby or Not! serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting intellectual property in the gaming industry. As game developers, it’s crucial to take steps to prevent code theft, such as using encryption and obfuscation tools to make it difficult for others to decompile and rebuild their games.
Actionable Insights
- Game developers should prioritize protecting their intellectual property by using encryption and obfuscation tools.
- The App Store’s guidelines should be revised to prioritize protection for games released on the web using open standards like HTML5.
- Apple should take a stronger stance against game theft, removing copycat apps from the App Store and taking action against developers who engage in this behavior.
Conclusion
The case of Diapers, Please! and My Baby or Not! is a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of game cloning and code theft in the gaming industry. As game developers, it’s crucial to take steps to protect their intellectual property and prevent code theft. The App Store’s guidelines should be revised to prioritize protection for games released on the web using open standards like HTML5, and Apple should take a stronger stance against game theft. By working together, we can create a safer and more sustainable gaming ecosystem for all.