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Tell HN: Google bans my game for referencing Covid-19, which I designed in 2017

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Re: Tell HN: Google bans my game for referencing Covid-19, which I designed in 2017

#11

Post by lopmotr »

runawaybottle wrote: post #10
tetromino_ wrote: post #3

IMHO, releasing a new pandemic game (where I assume your goal is to kill as many people as possible with a virus) in the middle of a real-life pandemic is tone-deaf. It also very much looks like "appearing to profit from a tragic event with no discernible benefit to the victims" which is an example of banned content at https://play.google.com/about/restricted-content/inappropria... If you really want to release this…

I’ll argue that it is not tasteless because it is a natural phenomena. Tone deaf would be a Columbine FPS (which the shooters I think made themselves).

natural disasters are explicitly listed as banned by the Play Store link the GP posted.

"We don't allow apps that lack reasonable sensitivity towards or capitalize on a natural disaster, atrocity, conflict, death, or other tragic event."

Seems like a clear violation even if it is a stupid rule.

Re: Tell HN: Google bans my game for referencing Covid-19, which I designed in 2017

#13

Post by LukaszO »

tinus_hn wrote: post #12

While this case is just unfortunate contrasted with the absolutely ridiculous podcast app story, the general censoring issue is making its way through the international press. There will probably be some updates to the policy.

I agree with you, thanks to the Podcast Addict case more people will know about google practices. It took very popular app to make it to the mainstream news and i hope the change will be for the better and maybe small developers will also be heard in this discussion.

Re: Tell HN: Google bans my game for referencing Covid-19, which I designed in 2017

#14

Post by runawaybottle »

lopmotr wrote: post #11
runawaybottle wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ll argue that it is not tasteless because it is a natural phenomena. Tone deaf would be a Columbine FPS (which the shooters I think made themselves).

natural disasters are explicitly listed as banned by the Play Store link the GP posted. "We don't allow apps that lack reasonable sensitivity towards or capitalize on a natural disaster, atrocity, conflict, death, or other tragic event." Seems like a clear violation even if it is a stupid rule.

Doesn’t make sense, what if you simulate a virus spread or Hurricane?

Re: Tell HN: Google bans my game for referencing Covid-19, which I designed in 2017

#15

Post by aabbcc1241 »

My general advice is to make your software portable.

If you target android platform, you can at least distribute the APK for people to install;

If you target iPhone, I suppose your target audience may not jailbreak the phone just to play the game, so the proprietary app store becomes the only practical option;

If you target the web platform, boom, you can distribute the game to almost all of your target audience.

Re: Tell HN: Google bans my game for referencing Covid-19, which I designed in 2017

#16

Post by andromeduck »

tetromino_ wrote: post #3

IMHO, releasing a new pandemic game (where I assume your goal is to kill as many people as possible with a virus) in the middle of a real-life pandemic is tone-deaf. It also very much looks like "appearing to profit from a tragic event with no discernible benefit to the victims" which is an example of banned content at https://play.google.com/about/restricted-content/inappropria... If you really want to release this…

Who are you to judge what content we can and can't enjoy?

Re: Tell HN: Google bans my game for referencing Covid-19, which I designed in 2017

#17

Post by LukaszO »

aabbcc1241 wrote: post #15

My general advice is to make your software portable. If you target android platform, you can at least distribute the APK for people to install; If you target iPhone, I suppose your target audience may not jailbreak the phone just to play the game, so the proprietary app store becomes the only practical option; If you target the web platform, boom, you can distribute the game to almost all of your target audience.

That's true, but unfortunately in reality you don't have any other viable places to distribute your game because the market is already monopolized. If you want to reach the biggest userbase you must release your product in the most popular stores.

What is the best place to release premium android game? Google Play - biggest userbase, integrated payment, integrated with your google account.

Re: Tell HN: Google bans my game for referencing Covid-19, which I designed in 2017

#18

Post by mysterydip »

My game got banned without any specific references as well. It was a pacman clone where you were shopping in a store and had to avoid other patrons who were a virus in disguise. Banned for "taking advantage of a tragedy". We re-themed it as zombies and now it's on the stores.

Re: Tell HN: Google bans my game for referencing Covid-19, which I designed in 2017

#19

Post by koheripbal »

Awelton wrote: post #2

The heavy hand of Google strikes down another. Don't you know that you aren't allowed to say wrongthink words or think wrongthink thoughts? Please try again, but this time try a little harder to please the Google. Only CDC approved persons are allowed to allude to or speak of the single largest thing people happen to currently be talking about. Pick up that can.

What we need is Google Play Store alternatives.

Re: Tell HN: Google bans my game for referencing Covid-19, which I designed in 2017

#20

Post by classified »

Google is not the steward of our civil rights, they just want our money. Once they've got your money, it's their way or the highway.

If you enter a one-sided business agreement that gives you no leverage over your opposite you should know what to expect and not be surprised when it happens. Not reading the fine print before you sign is your risk to take.

If you want control, don't give it away.

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