Apple backs down in Palestinian game row

A developer who had been told his game could not be classified as such on the iOS App Store has said the decision has been reversed.

Just happening: Apple reconsider its decision, they will publish Liyla as a Game,” creator Rasheed Abueideh said. Thanks to all of you.”

The Liyla and The Shadows of War creator Rasheed Abueideh last week revealed on Twitter that Apple had told him they felt his title could not be classified as a game due to its political meanings.

Please revise the app category for your append remove it from Games, since we found that your app is not appropriate in the Games category,” Apple said. It would be more appropriate to categorize your app in News or Reference for example. In addition, please revise the marketing text for your app to remove references to your app being a game.”

The ruling riled parts of the community, who rightly argued that games have just as much right to be political as other content such as films or books. The issue was further muddied by the fact that a game from the other side of the political divide, Israeli Heroes, remained available on the App Store.

Just happening: Apple reconsider its decision, they will publish Liyla as a Game.

Thanks to all of you.

— Rasheed Abueideh 🇵🇸 🗝 (@RasheedAbueideh) May 22, 2016