Following yesterday’s report that Big Fish Games planned to launch a subscription-based iPad gaming service (with Apple’s support), Bloomberg now reports that Apple pulled the app shortly after the service launched.
It’s unclear why the app was actually pulled, as Big Fish Games and Apple reportedly worked together on the system, and Apple has yet to provide any explanation for pulling the app.
The service appeared to be up and running after launching yesterday, and was pulled after just a few hours. Big Fish Games founder was reportedly surprised to hear that the app was pulled:
[Big Fish Games founder Paul] Thelen said he was surprised by the move because Big Fish had worked with Apple for several weeks to ensure that it met the requirements for recurring monthly charges made through the App Store, a method most commonly used by magazines and newspaper publishers.
“It was officially approved,” Thelen said. Apple had even seen the app’s press release before it went out earlier today, he said.
Apple did not respond to Bloomberg’s request for comment, and Big Fish still hasn’t heard anything, leaving the question of whether Apple will allow subscription-based gaming on iOS after all.
