Given that Apple is a lot more like a consumer electronics company than what we've traditionally thought of as a computer company, the analogy to Nintendo is particularly apt. The game console makers totally control software for their systems -- not only do they control what can be released for the system, they generally control manufacturing (so all the discs and boxes have a consistent appearance) and distribution. They even have stern rules about how long a game can stay on the retail market, after which point it's pulled (barring re-release as a "greatest hits" title), so that the shelves don't get junked up with old titles crowding out new ones.
Each of the major video game consoles has an App Store functionally similar to Apple's: XBox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and WiiWare. I looked up their policies while writing a blog <http:// www.subfurther.com/blog/?p=1094>. They are *far* more restrictive than Apple would ever dare be. BTW, the "Mortal Kombat" case you bring up is an interesting one. Nintendo always wanted to be family friendly, so they insisted the SNES version of "Mortal Kombat" not have real blood, as Miroslav notes, nor the "fatalities" that were the game's biggest draw. Sega didn't have a problem with this, and the Genesis version sold far better. A few years later, once a ratings system was in place, Nintendo could drop the family-friendly veneer, since buyers would know from the rating what they were getting in for. In fact, Nintendo tried to launch their own realistic fighting line, "Killer Instinct", but it wasn't very popular. --Chris On Oct 22, 5:06 am, Miroslav Pokorny <[email protected]> wrote: > Reminds me a lot of Nintendo, in that they want to be in completely charge > of distribution ( they did by being the only one allowed to manufacture > carts) and the fiasco that was the green blood in Mortal Kombat. > > On Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 7:51 PM, Fabrizio Giudici < > > > > > > > > > > [email protected]> wrote: > > Read and laugh: > > >http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/21/apples-mac-app-store-review-guidel... > > > *2.2 Apps that exhibit bugs will be rejected > > **2.14 Apps must be packaged and submitted using Apple's packaging > > technologies included in Xcode - no third party installers allowed > > **2.19 Apps that require license keys or implement their own copy > > protection will be rejected. > > **2.20 Apps that present a license screen at launch will be rejected > > **2.21 Apps may not use update mechanisms outside of the App Store > > **6.2 Apps that look similar to Apple Products or apps bundled on the Mac, > > including the Finder, iChat, iTunes, and Dashboard, will be rejected. > > **6.3 Apps that do not use system provided items, such as buttons and > > icons, correctly and as described in the Apple Macintosh Human Interface > > Guidelines < > >https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/UserExperience...> > > will be rejected. > > **7.6 In general, the more expensive your app, the more thoroughly we will > > review it.* > > *11.1 Apps portraying realistic images of people or animals being killed or > > maimed, shot, stabbed, tortured or injured will be rejected > > **11.3 "Enemies" within the context of a game cannot solely target a > > specific race, culture, a real government or corporation, or any other real > > entity > > **11.5 Apps that include games of Russian roulette will be rejected. > > > * > > > So, rule 2.2 states that only Chuck Norris will be able to submit apps. > > Other 2.x rules and 6.3 state that any major product from Microsoft, Adobe > > and others will be rejected. Rules 6.2 says that Apple doesn't like > > competition (and I'm curious to see whether it's legal or not). > > Rules 11.x, while could be ok with my personal ethics, say that we're in a > > serious freedom of speach issue. > > > -- > > Fabrizio Giudici - Java Architect, Project Manager > > Tidalwave s.a.s. - "We make Java work. Everywhere." > > java.net/blog/fabriziogiudici -www.tidalwave.it/people > > [email protected] > > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > "The Java Posse" group. > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > [email protected]<javaposse%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups > > .com> > > . > > For more options, visit this group at > >http://groups.google.com/group/javaposse?hl=en. > > -- > mP -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Java Posse" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/javaposse?hl=en.
