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Joystiq

iPhone Commodore 64 app removed from App Store

by JC Fletcher on Sep 8th 2009 1:00PM

Were you happy to hear that C64, the iPhone Commodore 64 emulator app, had been approved by Apple and finally seen release? We were too. Try to remember that feeling, then, as we tell you that after having been rejected, and then finally accepted, it's been pulled from the App Store.

When developer Manomio learned that the C64's BASIC interpreter was the problem the first time, it removed obvious access, but left the interpreter in the software so it could be re-enabled later if Apple changed its mind. However, some users discovered how to access BASIC. Apple found out and removed it before anyone could use the C64's incredible computing power to blow the iPhone platform wide open.

Manomio has (re)re-submitted the app, so hopefully it'll actually make it to the App Store and stay there this time.

[Via Engadget]

Source

Tags: app-store, apple, c64, commodore, commodore64, emulation, iPod, manomio

Reader Comments (31)

Let's hope it comes back soon. :(

Stories like this just make me want to go all out and develop for iPhone/iTouch....oh wait, no they don't. Seriously Apple, if you want to be taken seriously as a gaming platform, please stop with this Mickey Mouse bullsh*t.

Name one other console that would allow this. I would say that the iPhone has the most accessible software approval process. Far cheaper and easier to get something through than with sony, nintendo, or microsoft.

@awholeian

The success stories may be less, but MS has a similar program for the Xbox 360 with the Indie games service.

Membership costs are about the same, as is cuts for each piece of software sold. The main difference is that games on the Xbox 360 are reviewed by fellow developers instead of Microsoft, which means that games are released more quickly. So there are other options.

WINMO FOR THE WIN

DOWS

I don't really see what Apple's concerned about. I mean I understand following standards and all but honestly if someone really wanted to pirate this couldn't they just download a C64 emulator and a shitload of roms instead? I'm kind of annoyed though. I was on the fence about buying this app last night and when I finally decided to go ahead it vanished from the store. :|

This has nothing do with piracy as all the games involved are licenced from their respected copyright holder. This is all about program code, or user-generated program code.

Apple sells it's SDK for $99. This SDK enables people to write code for the platform. If you have applications which enables user-generated code which costs far less, that has the potential to stop people buying the SDK. It doesn't matter if the BASIC emulator is limited, it's a blanket ban on all kinds of these features to stop loopholes appearing in the terms Apple lays out to developers.

@ssuk: EXACTLY! I was starting to get annoyed that no one seemed to realize this, the developer should have known better, Apple is far from perfect in the matter, but let's just sat that disabling and not removing code has gotten some others in big trouble in the past.

Oh, and to be fair, just because the app is a C64 emulator, doesn't mean malicious code launched from it wouldn't have access to the iPhone's full power (don't be such a nub Fletcher). So this is also a question of security.

Honestly, who cares? This may as well not be an emulator at all and rather be those five packaged games. You can't use BASIC, you can't load your own software - all you have is a sandbox with the provided games.

Given the limitations (and yes, I know these are Apple's fault), I don't see what the point is anymore.

@MystileArmor:

You were there too!?

You are the harbinger of death Nick Frost.

Did anyone even buy it for the $5?

Again? What the hell is wrong with you?

Banish sorrow; banish care, grief should ne'er approach the fair.

uhhhh.........

I want an app that emulates the old C64 floppy drive. The one that was roughly the size of an Cadillac, and made noises like King Kong chewing his breakfast every time it accessed the disc. That thing was awesome.

Or the cassette storage drive. Now we're talkin'...

Don't forget that it would take 10 minutes to load a good game...

and could play songs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gnMgmlKi_o

I want to click, but I'm afraid

It'll probably end up on Cydia.

I love F00K's randomness.

Are we part of "The Grudge III" or something? Or one of those other Japanese technology horror movies?

I should've never urinated on that ancient japanese graveyard the other day...

Thank God for Installous.

@MystileArmor:

You were there too!?

Unlike what someone might have told you, I do not urinate as a group activity.

He pulled a "Hot Coffee"? (Leaving code in where someone is guaranteed to find it.)

What are you planning?

Not you again...

Oh no worries, I don't typically "hide in bushes and what people piss" as a group activity either... umnn... yep.

Maybe f00k is like a hybrid, spouting what we think is nonsense but is actually operating on a higher level than any of us realize. I fear he may be trying to tell us something of grave importance.

wtos a cmmoodroe 64?

You are the harbinger of death Nick Frost. You will lead them all to their end.

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Breaking News

iPhone Commodore 64 app removed from App Store

Reader Comments (31)

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 1:05PM GiantGamer said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 1:13PM David Black said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 3:25PM awholeian said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 3:36PM DSK UK said

Posted: Sep 9th 2009 12:16PM Bolts said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 1:13PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:03PM SSUK said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:25PM AdamSpruijt said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 1:17PM diamondsw said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:28PM AdamSpruijt said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 5:01PM Vcize said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 1:30PM whylekat said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 1:31PM MystileArmor said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 1:32PM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Sep 8th 2009 1:40PM ComicShaman said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:02PM Rocketboy said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 1:40PM BananaBoat said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:05PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:12PM NathanDTS said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:15PM MystileArmor said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:20PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:28PM AdamSpruijt said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:32PM MystileArmor said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:41PM BigD145 said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:45PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:50PM bongoes said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 2:59PM AdamSpruijt said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 3:10PM Nick Frost said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 4:39PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 8th 2009 5:01PM Vcize said

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