I'm thinking though that maybe we don't know the full story, because there are still many marijuana and weed apps on the appstore. I just checked.
Maybe this app was violating some other rule, and if that's the case, and the reason for it being pulled has nothing to do with marijuana, then that's a different story.
So it's okay for an app to feature illegal activity, unless the bad press it generates starts to embarrass Apple?
I think this is exactly the case. The reason this app was pulled and other weed apps were not is because this one became too visible.
I think it is interesting that this story and the previous one that pointed out how Android's fragmented hardware capabilities (re the gyroscope) made one app prohibitively difficult to release outside of iOS.
It is two sides of the same coin. Because Apple handles everything (hardware, operating system, App Store) customers get a seamless, high quality experience while Android customers get a piecemeal product. However, the seamlessness of Apples product also means that Apple is held responsible for _everything_ on the iPhone. If a weed app makes it to #1 and opposition begins to mount, everyone looks at Apple.
On Android, the same app would not be blaimed on any one company. Samsung: we just make the phone. Google: we just make the platform. Verizon: we just provide the connection. The Developer: hey, don't buy my app if you don't like it... People opposed to something have no central place to focus their anger.
Add to this that any story about Apple automatically makes it more newsworthy, and it just exacerbates the situation!
I am uncomfortable with Apple taking on this ill-defined gatekeeper role and I wish they had a rating system like others suggest, but I understand why they do it. They are too easy a target...
And weed is not illegal everywhere, it is legal in a few states....
Everybody should smoke weed, it's much better and less harmful than alcohol.
Just because a particular state removed its laws against it doesn't mean it's not illegal. There are still federal laws against it. So this is simply incorrect.
I've seen what pot does to people who can't see what it's doing to them. No one should use recreational drugs. Since that's true, I don't mind taking any and all flak for saying it.
As for Apple removing the game from the store, they're a business, and if they think the detriment to their image for having that particular game in the store is weightier than the perceived business benefit should they keep it, it makes sense for them to make that decision. GTA may be profitable enough for them that said profit outweighs the reputation hit they may take for keeping it. I'm not saying that's right, just that it's business.
On the other hand Apple does plenty of other things because they feel it's 'right' even if it doesn't 'make business sense'.
There are no federal laws against simulated illegal activity that I am aware of. Again out of all of the illegal activity both real and simulated, the pot smokers draw the criticism.
Just because a particular state removed its laws against it doesn't mean it's not illegal. There are still federal laws against it. So this is simply incorrect.
I've seen what pot does to people who can't see what it's doing to them. No one should use recreational drugs. Since that's true, I don't mind taking any and all flak for saying it.
As for Apple removing the game from the store, they're a business, and if they think the detriment to their image for having that particular game in the store is weightier than the perceived business benefit should they keep it, it makes sense for them to make that decision. GTA may be profitable enough for them that said profit outweighs the reputation hit they may take for keeping it. I'm not saying that's right, just that it's business.
On the other hand Apple does plenty of other things because they feel it's 'right' even if it doesn't 'make business sense'.
What nonsense! I've seen what can happen when people stop taking their meds, and it can be disastrous! Thank god I 'm in Colorado right now!
There are no federal laws against simulated illegal activity that I am aware of. Again out of all of the illegal activity both real and simulated, the pot smokers draw the criticism.
There is at least one thing that you could simulate where you could wind up in jail (and I'd be cheering it all the way). I like that there's a thick dark line between what's legal and illegal for some of these things. Most of the other things are probably just going to cause you trouble as well as piss off and waste the time of those charged with keeping order.
And FYI - there's very foul language in this game. You might argue it's because there are some crass characters in the game. One character is seriously nasty and, wow, what a mouth! I'm no prude. And yeah, so what that there is a nasty character? That's how life is, right? But I also know they could have used other vocabulary to demonstrate that.
App or web site or book or whatever, I'd feel the same. I'm not shocked that they've pulled this.
I am uncomfortable with Apple taking on this ill-defined gatekeeper role and I wish they had a rating system like others suggest, but I understand why they do it. They are too easy a target...
I used to think Apple's curation was a plus, but, like you it seems, I'm no longer so convinced. The App Store may have a million apps -- a good marketing claim, I suppose -- but 95% of them are crap. Perhaps the ratio on Google Play is 98%. Apple can claim that its store contains proportionately 60% less crap, while Google can claim that its store contains only a little more crap. Is it worth the big investment?
All the "me too" weed store apps that are still in the App Store are a clear indication that there's something to what I'm saying.
That said, since you're right to note that anything Apple-related is automatically more newsworthy (and it does after all have by far the most successful app store), Apple will probably still get bad press the next time this happens.
Weed has been demonised since the 1930's and people have been imprisoned on essentially bull excrement for decades. the only reason it has not been decriminalized sooner is it was filling the rooms at the privately owned corporate prisons and getting many unhappy customers for the so called reformatory industry. For apple not to be on the side of reason finally prevailing is ludicrous. lets have a "jail the little brown people" while they await deportation game because thats the new paridigm to keep the rooms filled and the prison companies and corrections industry well fed (90 % of Arizona's prisons are privately owned)
to deem this inappropriate on the basis of propaganda os a crime against reson
I can't believe you removed my comment , it is definitely the corrections system that has kept this gentle herb on the poo list for decades the damage these laws have done to so many (mostly black) lives so far out ways the shock value of the stupid game. people who abuse pot will be fired from their jobs and live the same lives as alcoholics today it is a self regulating situation. Responsible recreational users will not be noticed. if there are any government enforcement from this point on it will be the result of lobbying by the incarceration industry.
"I've seen what pot does to people who can't see what it's doing to them. No one should use recreational drugs. Since that's true, I don't mind taking any and all flak for saying it."
And its people like you who continue to support the disastrous drug war.... Adults should be able to decide for themselves if they want to take the risk, just as we don't regular unprotected sex or eating too much fast food.
I am uncomfortable with Apple taking on this ill-defined gatekeeper role and I wish they had a rating system like others suggest, but I understand why they do it. They are too easy a target...
I used to think Apple's curation was a plus, but, like you it seems, I'm no longer so convinced. The App Store may have a million apps -- a good marketing claim, I suppose -- but 95% of them are crap. Perhaps the ratio on Google Play is 98%. Apple can claim that its store contains proportionately 60% less crap, while Google can claim that its store contains only a little more crap. Is it worth the big investment?
All the "me too" weed store apps that are still in the App Store are a clear indication that there's something to what I'm saying.
That said, since you're right to note that anything Apple-related is automatically more newsworthy (and it does after all have by far the most successful app store), Apple will probably still get bad press the next time this happens.
Seeing as I know that you have tested less than 5% of the apps on the App Store, your claim that 95% of the apps are crap is 100% bullshit.
Seeing as I know that you have tested less than 5% of the apps on the App Store, your claim that 95% of the apps are crap is 100% bullshit.
About 50% of the apps I've actually tested are crap...and those are the ones I thought looked promising. I'm confident that 95% of them are actually crap. Of course my specific numbers are guesses. And "crap" is anyway a subjective label. My crappy apps may not be the same as yours.
By your logic, nobody could make a claim about a store without trying every item. Do you like McDonalds? Whether you like it or hate it, have you tried every item on the menu? I doubt it. Then how do you know you like or hate McDonalds?
And its people like you who continue to support the disastrous drug war.... Adults should be able to decide for themselves if they want to take the risk, just as we don't regular unprotected sex or eating too much fast food.
At least you are likening smoking Pot to other irresponsible acts.
I'm all for the legalization, but you can see where people see a slippery slope about the "adults should be able to decide for themselves" argument. That argument is an empty one because there are hundreds of things you support the government ban on and you don't even know it. Heroin? Lead in paint? Asbestos? Why not keep the lead in paint and let the consumer decide if they should use it or not. That's your similar argument. The way this country is setup- we vote for the politicians to represent us and then they vote on the issues that we want as our representatives. If that's legalizing weed, then thats how they should vote. If its banning asbestos- then thats how they should vote. Unless I overlooked our constitutional right of "you have the right to get high". Yes- it's flawed, we don't need to get into that sidebar. But it's less flawed than "adults should be able to decide for themselves". That's called anarchy.
There are no federal laws against simulated illegal activity that I am aware of. Again out of all of the illegal activity both real and simulated, the pot smokers draw the criticism.
There is at least one thing that you could simulate where you could wind up in jail (and I'd be cheering it all the way). I like that there's a thick dark line between what's legal and illegal for some of these things. Most of the other things are probably just going to cause you trouble as well as piss off and waste the time of those charged with keeping order.
And FYI - there's very foul language in this game. You might argue it's because there are some crass characters in the game. One character is seriously nasty and, wow, what a mouth! I'm no prude. And yeah, so what that there is a nasty character? That's how life is, right? But I also know they could have used other vocabulary to demonstrate that.
App or web site or book or whatever, I'd feel the same. I'm not shocked that they've pulled this.
Yeah, I was aware of the issues with that one. Pretty special exception and while the pictures are simulated, your possession is not. Pictures of pot plants is not a problem. I'm also sure there is some really vulgar movies to compare the game too. Sounds like the game should be NC-17 or something, but not censored. They are burning their virtual books as we speak.
If some of your are so dense to see that the potential negative PR issue Apple faces of having the #1 game on the appstore being a weed-growing app, then I don't know what to say. This goes beyong your personal views on marijuana, which have absolutely nothing to do with this. Try to look at the big picture. I've smoked weed and have no issues with anyone doing so, but I'm not so childish as to not see why it would be a no-brainer for Apple to pull it.
As for the developers, I have no sympathy, and they sound like childish douchebags and whiners. When you develop such an app for the appstore, you MUST know there will always be a risk. It's as if they were daring Apple to keep it up, and are absolutely gleeful it was taken down due to all the attention their bitching is generating. When it gets pulled, don't go whining on the fucking internet then sing the praises of Android, a platform where developers are finding zero success and consumers are too cheap to spend a dime.
Developers are free to develop a game where you grow and sell drugs for the appstore- yet if they have a shred of insight they would realize such a game does not have a guarantee of a permanent shelf-life.
Comments
I do like it as simple as it is. It immediately reminded me of a crass version of lemonade stand - balancing creating supply with a few risks.
I used to play Lemonade Stand back in the day in elementary school. It was probably one of the first computer games that I ever played.
Isn't this Apple's choice to do what it wants to do?
And it's other people's choice to criticize Apple for their actions, which can be seen as extremely hypocritical.
I'm thinking though that maybe we don't know the full story, because there are still many marijuana and weed apps on the appstore. I just checked.
Maybe this app was violating some other rule, and if that's the case, and the reason for it being pulled has nothing to do with marijuana, then that's a different story.
I think it is interesting that this story and the previous one that pointed out how Android's fragmented hardware capabilities (re the gyroscope) made one app prohibitively difficult to release outside of iOS.
It is two sides of the same coin. Because Apple handles everything (hardware, operating system, App Store) customers get a seamless, high quality experience while Android customers get a piecemeal product. However, the seamlessness of Apples product also means that Apple is held responsible for _everything_ on the iPhone. If a weed app makes it to #1 and opposition begins to mount, everyone looks at Apple.
On Android, the same app would not be blaimed on any one company. Samsung: we just make the phone. Google: we just make the platform. Verizon: we just provide the connection. The Developer: hey, don't buy my app if you don't like it... People opposed to something have no central place to focus their anger.
Add to this that any story about Apple automatically makes it more newsworthy, and it just exacerbates the situation!
I am uncomfortable with Apple taking on this ill-defined gatekeeper role and I wish they had a rating system like others suggest, but I understand why they do it. They are too easy a target...
And weed is not illegal everywhere, it is legal in a few states....
Everybody should smoke weed, it's much better and less harmful than alcohol.
Just because a particular state removed its laws against it doesn't mean it's not illegal. There are still federal laws against it. So this is simply incorrect.
I've seen what pot does to people who can't see what it's doing to them. No one should use recreational drugs. Since that's true, I don't mind taking any and all flak for saying it.
As for Apple removing the game from the store, they're a business, and if they think the detriment to their image for having that particular game in the store is weightier than the perceived business benefit should they keep it, it makes sense for them to make that decision. GTA may be profitable enough for them that said profit outweighs the reputation hit they may take for keeping it. I'm not saying that's right, just that it's business.
On the other hand Apple does plenty of other things because they feel it's 'right' even if it doesn't 'make business sense'.
There are no federal laws against simulated illegal activity that I am aware of. Again out of all of the illegal activity both real and simulated, the pot smokers draw the criticism.
So I guess in this instance it's ok to criticize Apple?
If you are stoned, yes.
What nonsense! I've seen what can happen when people stop taking their meds, and it can be disastrous! Thank god I 'm in Colorado right now!
There are no federal laws against simulated illegal activity that I am aware of. Again out of all of the illegal activity both real and simulated, the pot smokers draw the criticism.
There is at least one thing that you could simulate where you could wind up in jail (and I'd be cheering it all the way). I like that there's a thick dark line between what's legal and illegal for some of these things. Most of the other things are probably just going to cause you trouble as well as piss off and waste the time of those charged with keeping order.
And FYI - there's very foul language in this game. You might argue it's because there are some crass characters in the game. One character is seriously nasty and, wow, what a mouth! I'm no prude. And yeah, so what that there is a nasty character? That's how life is, right? But I also know they could have used other vocabulary to demonstrate that.
App or web site or book or whatever, I'd feel the same. I'm not shocked that they've pulled this.
I am uncomfortable with Apple taking on this ill-defined gatekeeper role and I wish they had a rating system like others suggest, but I understand why they do it. They are too easy a target...
I used to think Apple's curation was a plus, but, like you it seems, I'm no longer so convinced. The App Store may have a million apps -- a good marketing claim, I suppose -- but 95% of them are crap. Perhaps the ratio on Google Play is 98%. Apple can claim that its store contains proportionately 60% less crap, while Google can claim that its store contains only a little more crap. Is it worth the big investment?
All the "me too" weed store apps that are still in the App Store are a clear indication that there's something to what I'm saying.
That said, since you're right to note that anything Apple-related is automatically more newsworthy (and it does after all have by far the most successful app store), Apple will probably still get bad press the next time this happens.
to deem this inappropriate on the basis of propaganda os a crime against reson
And its people like you who continue to support the disastrous drug war.... Adults should be able to decide for themselves if they want to take the risk, just as we don't regular unprotected sex or eating too much fast food.
Seeing as I know that you have tested less than 5% of the apps on the App Store, your claim that 95% of the apps are crap is 100% bullshit.
I imagine that Steve Jobs would have done the same; he held family values to be very important, which is why there are no porn apps on the App Store.
Seeing as I know that you have tested less than 5% of the apps on the App Store, your claim that 95% of the apps are crap is 100% bullshit.
About 50% of the apps I've actually tested are crap...and those are the ones I thought looked promising. I'm confident that 95% of them are actually crap. Of course my specific numbers are guesses. And "crap" is anyway a subjective label. My crappy apps may not be the same as yours.
By your logic, nobody could make a claim about a store without trying every item. Do you like McDonalds? Whether you like it or hate it, have you tried every item on the menu? I doubt it. Then how do you know you like or hate McDonalds?
Also: Sturgeon's law. Q.E.D.
And its people like you who continue to support the disastrous drug war.... Adults should be able to decide for themselves if they want to take the risk, just as we don't regular unprotected sex or eating too much fast food.
At least you are likening smoking Pot to other irresponsible acts.
I'm all for the legalization, but you can see where people see a slippery slope about the "adults should be able to decide for themselves" argument. That argument is an empty one because there are hundreds of things you support the government ban on and you don't even know it. Heroin? Lead in paint? Asbestos? Why not keep the lead in paint and let the consumer decide if they should use it or not. That's your similar argument. The way this country is setup- we vote for the politicians to represent us and then they vote on the issues that we want as our representatives. If that's legalizing weed, then thats how they should vote. If its banning asbestos- then thats how they should vote. Unless I overlooked our constitutional right of "you have the right to get high". Yes- it's flawed, we don't need to get into that sidebar. But it's less flawed than "adults should be able to decide for themselves". That's called anarchy.
Yeah, I was aware of the issues with that one. Pretty special exception and while the pictures are simulated, your possession is not. Pictures of pot plants is not a problem. I'm also sure there is some really vulgar movies to compare the game too. Sounds like the game should be NC-17 or something, but not censored. They are burning their virtual books as we speak.
If some of your are so dense to see that the potential negative PR issue Apple faces of having the #1 game on the appstore being a weed-growing app, then I don't know what to say. This goes beyong your personal views on marijuana, which have absolutely nothing to do with this. Try to look at the big picture. I've smoked weed and have no issues with anyone doing so, but I'm not so childish as to not see why it would be a no-brainer for Apple to pull it.
As for the developers, I have no sympathy, and they sound like childish douchebags and whiners. When you develop such an app for the appstore, you MUST know there will always be a risk. It's as if they were daring Apple to keep it up, and are absolutely gleeful it was taken down due to all the attention their bitching is generating. When it gets pulled, don't go whining on the fucking internet then sing the praises of Android, a platform where developers are finding zero success and consumers are too cheap to spend a dime.
Developers are free to develop a game where you grow and sell drugs for the appstore- yet if they have a shred of insight they would realize such a game does not have a guarantee of a permanent shelf-life.