Unveiling the Deceptive World of iOS Game Theft
In a stunning revelation that has rocked the gaming community, a popular iOS game titled “My Baby or Not!” has been unmasked as a blatant copy of the indie game “Diapers, Please!”. This case of HTML5 code theft has left the original game developers, VoltekPlay, in a state of shock and frustration.
The Discovery of the Fraud
VoltekPlay first became aware of the fraudulent iOS game when they noticed a sudden spike in traffic to their itch.io page. Upon investigation, they discovered that the traffic was coming from Google organic searches related to “My Baby or Not!”. It was only after adding a player poll to their page, asking where players found the game, that they stumbled upon popular TikTok videos featuring the iOS version.
“Luckily, some people in the [TikTok] comments mentioned the real game name—Diapers, Please!—so a few thousand players were able to google their way to our page,” VoltekPlay shared on Reddit. “I can only imagine how many more ended up on the thief’s App Store page instead.”
The Extent of the App Store Fraud
The $2.99 iOS release of “My Baby or Not!” quickly climbed the paid games charts, amassing an estimated 20,000 downloads, according to Sensor Tower. The game was credited to a new iOS developer named Marwane Benyssef, who had no apparent history in the game development community.
Further investigation revealed that Benyssef’s only other iOS game, “Kiosk Food Night Shift,” was also a direct copy of another itch.io release called “Kiosk.” This pattern of game developers falling victim to App Store fraud has raised serious concerns within the industry.
The Fight Against Copyright Infringement
In response to this blatant copyright infringement, VoltekPlay took swift action by filing a DMCA copyright claim against “My Baby or Not!”. Apple, in turn, shared the claim with Benyssef, encouraging the parties to resolve the dispute directly.
“Apple encourages the parties to a dispute to work directly with one another to resolve the claim,” VoltekPlay reported.
As of this morning, Apple has yet to provide a comment on the situation. However, it appears that they have taken decisive action by removing Benyssef’s developer page and all traces of their games from the iOS App Store.
The Importance of Protecting Game Developers
This shocking case of iOS game theft highlights the ongoing challenges faced by game developers in protecting their intellectual property. The ease with which HTML5 code can be copied and used to create fraudulent games on the App Store is a serious concern that demands attention from both Apple and the gaming community at large.
As the industry continues to grapple with issues of copyright infringement and App Store fraud, it is crucial that game developers remain vigilant and take action to protect their creations. The support and cooperation of platforms like Apple are essential in ensuring a fair and secure environment for all developers.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The story of “My Baby or Not!” and the unauthorized use of HTML5 code theft serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by game developers in the digital age. As the gaming community rallies behind VoltekPlay and other victims of App Store fraud, it is important to stay informed about the latest developments in this ongoing battle against copyright infringement.
We encourage our readers to join the conversation, share their thoughts on this issue, and stay updated on the latest news from the world of gaming. Together, we can work towards a future where game developers are protected, and their hard work is respected.
Source: Ars Technica
