Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I am not sure if this was meant ironically, but they were removed to keep the game up to date.
They issued a statement on September 14th. 2001.

REDMOND, Washington (CNN) -- Microsoft said Friday it will remove images of the World Trade Center from the upcoming version of its popular PC game, "Flight Simulator," following the terrorist attacks Tuesday on that landmark, the Pentagon and another attempt that failed in Pennsylvania, which resulted in thousands of deaths.


"We obviously are trying to be considerate of the feelings of everyone affected by the tragedy. We are removing the images simply because we do not want to cause anyone pain in the future versions of the software," said Microsoft spokesman Matt Pilla. CNN
 
I'm so disappointed in how Apple has handled this moment (meaning this US Administration).

All these companies with money and power need to stand up, fight back and hold the line.

You don't "work with" regimes aspiring for dictatorial control.

There's no amount of paying bribes or gold & glass statues that will ultimately save you.

They are afraid to run a show about infiltrating online hate groups to take down the most violent extremists in the US?

That button needs to be pushed on NOW, more than ever!

View attachment 2557872
This. 1000 times this.
 
I am disappointed Jessica Chastain would publicly criticise Apple like this. It is not acceptable. We expect more loyalty from those who star in shows on our platform. I hope Apple makes an intelligent decision in regards to future endeavours.

"our platform"?

Do you work for Apple?

Additionally, the talent for content is hired and paid.
They are not obligated to any "loyalty" beyond that.
 
They issued a statement on September 14th. 2001.

REDMOND, Washington (CNN) -- Microsoft said Friday it will remove images of the World Trade Center from the upcoming version of its popular PC game, "Flight Simulator," following the terrorist attacks Tuesday on that landmark, the Pentagon and another attempt that failed in Pennsylvania, which resulted in thousands of deaths.


"We obviously are trying to be considerate of the feelings of everyone affected by the tragedy. We are removing the images simply because we do not want to cause anyone pain in the future versions of the software," said Microsoft spokesman Matt Pilla. CNN
Did you expect them to leave them in? Or do it *before* 9/11?
 
  • Like
Reactions: IJustWannaTalk
Yet they are losing *loads* of money on Apple TV+, over a $billion/year.

..not that it matters when google is giving $20 billion/year payola...
They don’t need to make money on Apple TV+ because they make money on iPhones. It’s a prestige halo product and it lets them put out a lot of interesting shows without worrying too much about it.

They made “Foundation” just for me, as far as I can tell. I might be the only one who watches it.
 
Fearless women, stepping up with grit!


And yeah, what did you expect after Cook’s pathetic groveling at the White House?

Imagine being as rich as Tim is, having done what he'd done up until this point with Apple..

And then cratering your image & reputation, permanently, with this absolutely pathetic embarrassment.

As the saying goes ..
What's the point of having eff you money if you never say eff you?

1758733409502.png

Screenshot 2025-09-24 at 11.04.28.png
 
One of the biggest companies in the world has the power to not care at all.

No, it's the other way around. Smaller, niches companies can take a specific political stand, or "not care at all", because their customer-base is more definable. The bigger the )(onsumer-focused), the less opportunity they have to rock the boat.

Apple, like MacDonalds, is too big to alienate any of their customer-base, so they will avoid making any controversial social / political acts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GlassFingers
Imagine being as rich as Tim is, having done what he'd done up until this point with Apple..

And then cratering your image & reputation, permanently, with this absolutely pathetic embarrassment.

As the saying goes ..
What's the point of having eff you money if you never say eff you?

View attachment 2557884

The reason why he's rich is because he does deal with the Trump administration. That's part of the job he's being paid to do.
 
Maybe Apple's mindful of the massive mental illness problem is this country, and is wary of putting out any more inspiration.

I don't necessarily agree with that decision, but it should be understood from that angle. They aren't worried about "fallout" from pissing off one group of people or another. They are worried about cause and effect. They shouldn't have to worry about that at all. But countless events over the last decade are calling into focus the fact that people have been made ill, and are to the point where they can't even handle watching a simple TV show. Social media is poisoning people's minds, and those who are not able to rise above it, because they lack proper upbringing or emotional support in their lives, are falling victim to it. And at the same time, instead of treating mental illness and taking it seriously like we used to, so many people want to validate it, and encourage it.

I don't agree with Apple's choice, but I understand it from that perspective.
 
I meant it as a correlation with this news article. It was controversial back then, and this new one is also controversial for pulling the show as they did.
Fair enough. Seems it was controversial to remove it, like players wanted it to remain as a memorial or something. But that really wouldn’t make sense for a game that keeps its world data up to date in subsequent releases.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.