Epic Games Removes 'Infinity Blade' Trilogy From App Store

[Solomani]

We agree on this, but this is the problem I am referring to. This wasn't an issue with physical media, but it is becoming more and more apparent that digital media is not forever.

Digital media cannot be forever. Perfect example: older games that were coded as 32-bit apps, but have never been updated to support 64-bit. Really now, are we going to blame Apple for that? Clearly Apple has to move forward. It's the nature of the tech industry.

 

[Juicy Box]

Digital media cannot be forever. Perfect example: older games that were coded as 32-bit apps, but have never been updated to support 64-bit. Really now, are we going to blame Apple for that? Clearly Apple has to move forward. It's the nature of the tech industry.

I agree with you, and as mentioned in a previous post I am not blaming Apple nor Epic for this.

I was just stating an obvious problem with the App Store and digital media in general.

 

[Kabeyun]

Also, if someone wanted to play Infinity Blade, but has not purchased it yet, they are unable to due so. This is unlike most physical media that can be re-sold and be used by first time players decades after it was released.

This wasn't an issue with physical media, but it is becoming more and more apparent that digital media is not forever.

So the issue you have is with digital media in general. That’s not an App Store problem or an Infinity Blade problem. That’s a problem with every program since they stopped distributing them on disks. It’s a problem with Netflix if they decide they no longer will carry a movie you want to see (fortunately you can find it elsewhere). That was a problem when Apple went to Mac OS X, and again to strictly 64-but architecture. I want Workflow, but it’s now gone, partially encorporated into iOS. I want iWeb, but that’s been gone since 2012 and I still haven’t had the time or energy to deal with third party hosting of the sites I lost. That’s the deal with digital media distribution, and it certainly isn’t new.

 

[Juicy Box]

So the issue you have is with digital media in general.

Yes, I stated as much in many posts now. I am not blaming Apple, Epic, Devos, or any individual or entity for this issue, but just stating flaws for having a digital app library, especially for gaming. Retro-gaming is a pretty big thing now, but it looks like it won't be possible for many iOS titles in the future.

That’s not an App Store problem or an Infinity Blade problem.

It is though. I am not saying either is to blame, but it is the inherent problem of being a part of a digital library that the user has little control over what stays and what goes.

It’s a problem with Netflix if they decide they no longer will carry a movie you want to see (fortunately you can find it elsewhere).

Not really the same thing, as it is subscription based, and pretty much can find the same content multiple locations including physical media.

That was a problem when Apple went to Mac OS X, and again to strictly 64-but architecture.

Also not the same thing, as you can still use many apps and most games on old OS versions with using old hardware or emulation. This is not possible, or at least realistic with iOS hardware and apps.

That’s the deal with digital media distribution.

That is what all my posts have been about, I felt I was pretty clear about this, maybe I wasn't.

it certainly isn’t new

I think that it hasn't really gone noticed that much before, but with a big named title like Infinity Blade being pulled from the App Store, it really shows that nothing is safe.

 

[skinned66]

The Worker of Profits didn't make the game Deathless.

There's no way it could last forever. It was good while it lasted and I'm sure it made some decent money in its day. Those days are gone. It happens to all software eventually.

 

[Michael Goff]

There is a "Top Paid" now? Different from the "Top Grossing" that includes gems of Farmville quality? I've really given up on the App Store completely

Too bad most sold isn't an indication of quality either. But it's better than nothing.

There has been a top paid for a long time now, different from top grossing.

 

[ErikGrim]

Uhhh it's Freemium, lots of in-app purchases and from what I've read you need to spend real coin to advance in this game.

Literally any coin you spend on this game is cosmetic grandpa.

 

[Mars56]

Wasn't a huge fan of those games but they definitely shaped the early days of mobile OS gaming and probably lured a ton of larger studios to start developing for iOS (and Android).

 

[nottorp]

I’m not joking. It’s what the article says, which is what Epic says. Apple doesn’t owe it to you to support legacy games forever, nor does Epic, nor do those facts represent some sort of canary in the coal mine for the iOS App Store. And I certainly don’t hold some grudge against Apple for not being able to play Dark Castle since 2001.

With the difference that for a Windows game I can set up an old (unsupported, but who cares) version of Windows and play it even now... with iOS i don't even have access to the game files to attempt that.