Apple Pulls Plethora of iOS Apps for Crypto Involvement

4.9

ICOBox co-founder Daria Generalova article for TheTechGame on the US tech giant’s controversial moves against tokens in mobile gaming.

At this year’s Game Developers Conference the biggest news was the launch of Fortnite and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds on mobile devices. Fortnite offers what it claims is a full and complete game, just like on consoles. However, for more niche titles that rely on diverse revenue models it seems that the App Store might be becoming hostile territory.

Mobile gaming has come a long way in recent years against a reputation as a low-quality activity for wasting time on-the-go. iOS titles have led the charge in changing this perception, much to the annoyance of Android users. However, the tide may now be turning in favor of Android with news Apple has ordered the Coinbase Wallet to remove a crypto collectible from the forthcoming video game War Riders. The collectables in the game were vehicles represented by non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, on a blockchain.

According to screenshots obtained by CoinDesk, a Coinbase member of staff direct messaged:

"Quick heads up – we will be removing from the iOS version as we're not able to highlight dapps that facilitate purchase of digital goods."

The term dapp refers to Decentralized Application and, simply put means that it isn't governed by a single entity, but instead is open source and all records of the application's operation is stored on a public blockchain.

Apple has long been highly conservative in the crypto space. Coinbase was itself removed at one point and developers complain that Apple never communicates its decisions in the crypto space openly despite the fact that within Apple's app store review guidelines there's no specific language forbidding NFTs. Instead Apple may make its decisions based on its "In-App Purchase" rules.

Many have speculated on gaming’s ability to rake in sales and profits from tokenized versions of in game items and collectibles, adding real value to the virtual gaming world. With games such as Fortnite (which are free to play as well) raking in an estimated $8.5 billion, virtual tokens built on a blockchain could add to the aggregate amount of revenue many free-to-play games are generating at the moment, especially those of the battle royale genre.

War Riders remains listed on the Android version of the Coinbase Wallet app.

What’s the game?
Are you ready for a real apocalypse on the blockchain? If so, then fill up your tank and buckle up! War Riders can build their own war vehicles from scratch with customized logos and messaging. Use your vehicle to mine and attack enemies for Benzene.

Stock up with Benzene
All other forms of money are gone and Benzene is the only currency left to trade in this wasteland.

Mine for Benzene by driving through waypoints and raid other players to take their coins. Mining in War Riders™ is simple, just discover BZN in the Wasteland to claim it.

Become the most powerful and wealthy army by expanding your garage locations, buying better weapons, and killing for influence. Offer protection to other players and earn ETH.