PhoneSaber Pulled by Lucasfilm... But Official Version In Works

[MacRumors]

Macenstein notes that the popular and free PhoneSaber iPhone application has been pulled from the App Store at the request of Lucasfilm. The developers note:

As of now, PhoneSaber will no longer be available, I’ve had a chat with a guy from THQ Wireless (who own the rights for Star Wars apps on mobiles) and apparently the guys from Lucas don’t want it up there anymore. They didn’t want to go down the attacking cease and desist route, so we’re being dealt with very amicably.

They want to do some sort of official, Star Wars branded version of PhoneSaber, and will be working with us on that one. I don’t know any information beyond that, whether they plan to charge for it, advertise with it or what, but we’ll keep you updated on as much as we’re allowed to tell you.

PhoneSaber allows your iPhone to act (mostly) like a light saber, complete with sound effects.

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[Buschmaster]

Cease and desist? Why didn't they just use the force?

[DeaconGraves]

Originally Posted by Buschmaster

Cease and desist? Why didn't they just use the force?

::waves hand:: you don't want PhoneSaber in your App Store...

[RFR79]

I'm sure it won't be free. My best guess is that it will be a $2.99 app.

[Fulgham]

Originally Posted by DeaconGraves

::waves hand:: you don't want PhoneSaber in your App Store...

I don't want PhoneSaber in my App Store...

[11800506]

that's a bit annoying, especially if will have to pay for the official version

[bluebomberman]

Originally Posted by 11800506

that's a bit annoying, especially if will have to pay for the official version

You know they're gonna charge. It's all about the dinero.

[passingXstorm]

but I love killing all my friends with my phonesaber! Oh well, I'll jut be sure never to delete it.

[sparkleytone]

I don't think this means they'll charge for it. A free branded version that possibly advertises other THQ Wireless games would build both brand recognition and general goodwill.

[benlee]

just re-release it under the name "glowing sword"

[JohnnyKingfishe]

i'm really enjoying having these bootleg applications that have been subsequently removed. maybe i can resell them for a profit or something.
isaber is better anyway, i wonder if that's still up there.

[Bodhi395]

Will Apple be able to remotely delete the app on everyone's iphone that has it, like that article recently put up on this site was talking about?

I'm glad I downloaded it, its useless but fun!

[MacGeek7]

It's a good thing I've been backing up PhoneSaber with Time Machine since I found it....Victory is mine!

[Eduardo1971]

Jeez. Never saw this application; but I fathom that those who do buy it must be total geeks.

[clayj]

Originally Posted by Eduardo1971

Jeez. Never saw this application; but I fathom that those who do buy it must be total geeks.

It was free. I think PhoneSaber was (is) great, and I hope Lucasfilm doesn't do anything moronic like get Apple to remotely disable it.

[Dimwhit]

Fun little app. Glad I grabbed it, because I'd never actually pay money for it.

[celebi23]

Damn, I knew I shouldn't have deleted it Deleted it from my iPod Touch & iTunes because I needed to get rid of slightly less useful apps that I had Any chance I can still download it from somewhere?

[Spock]

It's kinds funny, I just read an article on trekmovie.com about star wars having a few trek likenesses such as the lightsabre looks a lot like the original series universal translator, think paramount should sue?

[Cougarcat]

This is pretty lame. Lucasfilm doesn't care about MacSaber, so why should they kill the iPhone version?

[MacGeek7]

Originally Posted by Cougarcat

This is pretty lame. Lucasfilm doesn't care about MacSaber, so why should they kill the iPhone version?

So they can make money since the App Store is only way to get an app...whereas with OS X you can get apps pretty much anywhere

[tk421]

I doubt they charge for it. I'm sure it's a branding thing.

Originally Posted by celebi23

Damn, I knew I shouldn't have deleted it Deleted it from my iPod Touch & iTunes because I needed to get rid of slightly less useful apps that I had Any chance I can still download it from somewhere?

Don't delete from iTunes! Just uncheck the box and it won't take up space on your iPhone/iPod. (not that it does you much good now)

[darkfiber]

I don't have my iPhone yet (I get it this weekend) but I already did download it to iTunes. So I assume I still have access to it.

[OneMike]

Originally Posted by tk421

I doubt they charge for it. I'm sure it's a branding thing.



Don't delete from iTunes! Just uncheck the box and it won't take up space on your iPhone/iPod. (not that it does you much good now)

Never noticed there was a mobile applications folder where all your apps are.

I mainly download apps directly from iphone. In 7.7.1 it shows all applications I download from both itunes and iphone.

Could've sworn in last version itunes always backed up all my applications but only showed the applications I downloaded directly in itunes.

[Chris Blount]

I was wondering if this was going to happen. When I first used the app I was thinking how strict Lucasfilm is with their stuff and that it might be a matter of time before the app was pulled. Even movie directors have a hard time referring to anything "Star Wars" in their films because of Lucasfilm's tight grip on the copyrights. Really annoying.

[gcmexico]

Originally Posted by Bodhi395

Will Apple be able to remotely delete the app on everyone's iphone that has it, like that article recently put up on this site was talking about?

I'm glad I downloaded it, its useless but fun!

*
I believe they do, based on one of the threads I read yesterday...they can disable the app, through a firmware update...or out right delete it