A pirated iOS port of Blue Prince fooled people into paying $10

The Verge - Apr 28th, 2025

An unofficial mobile version of the popular game Blue Prince surfaced on Apple's App Store, misleading users into purchasing a non-authentic version developed by an unassociated individual named Samet Altinay. The game appeared legitimate, featuring identical branding and descriptions as the original, but included minor modifications for mobile play, such as a virtual joystick. Notably, this counterfeit app quickly climbed to the #8 spot in the Entertainment category of paid apps before being removed from the store. The developers, Dogubomb and publisher Raw Fury, alerted users not to download or purchase these imposters until an official announcement is made regarding a mobile release.

This incident highlights recurring issues with Apple's App Store review process, which has previously failed to catch unauthorized clones of other popular games. The swift removal of the Blue Prince clone underscores the vigilance required by developers in protecting their intellectual property in digital marketplaces. The situation also raises questions about the efficiency of app store policies in safeguarding consumers from fraudulent apps, prompting calls for more stringent review processes to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Apple App Store Mobile Gaming Intellectual Property Blue Prince Dogubomb Raw Fury Unauthorized Game Clone Samet Altinay

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed account of an unauthorized app incident involving the game 'Blue Prince.' It is well-researched, relying on credible sources such as the developer's statements and the author's personal experience. The piece is timely and relevant, especially for readers interested in gaming and technology. However, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives, including input from Apple or experts on app store policies. While the article is clear and engaging, its impact is somewhat limited by its niche focus. Overall, it effectively raises awareness about the risks of unauthorized apps but could be enhanced with additional context and verification.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports the existence of an unofficial iOS port of the game 'Blue Prince,' which was later removed from the App Store. The claim is supported by the developer's and publisher's joint statement, as well as the author's own experience purchasing and testing the app. However, the article lacks direct verification from Apple regarding the removal timing and does not provide external confirmation of the app's ranking as the #8 paid app in the Entertainment category. The story could be strengthened by including these additional verifications.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of the game's developer and publisher, Dogubomb and Raw Fury, warning against unauthorized app purchases. While it includes the author's experience with the app, it does not provide Apple's viewpoint or a broader context on the prevalence of such unauthorized apps. This narrow focus limits the range of perspectives and could lead to a perception of bias towards the developer's stance.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, descriptive language to convey the situation regarding the unauthorized app. The logical flow from discovery to removal is easy to follow, and the tone is neutral and informative. However, the inclusion of more technical details about how unauthorized apps are identified and removed could enhance understanding for readers less familiar with app store processes.

Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including statements from the game's developer and publisher, as well as the author's direct experience with the app. However, it lacks input from Apple or independent experts on app store policies, which could enhance the reliability and depth of the reporting. The absence of these additional authoritative sources slightly detracts from the overall source quality.

Transparency

The article is transparent about its methodology, explicitly stating that the author purchased and tested the app. It provides detailed descriptions of the app's features and issues encountered. However, it does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as whether the author has any affiliations with the game's developer or publisher. Overall, the transparency is strong, but it could be improved with more comprehensive disclosure.

Sources

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blue-prince/id6744645801