Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Duke, Nukem, iTunes, App, Pulled | Themes: Software, Smartphones, Digital Cameras, 3GSM
Did Apple pull Duke Nukem 3D for the App Store?
Last month Machineworks Northwest quietly launched 3D Realm's classic shooter Duke Nukem 3D on Apple's App Store (link). After finally realizing its release and downloading the game last night, the iPhone / iPod Touch port proved that old-school FPS games--ones that reigned on the PC back in the late 90's--can still prove to be entertaining and run extremely well on Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch hardware.
Unfortunately, while the game looked, played, and sounded like the classic Duke we've come to love (the old-school gamers, that is), the controls weren't so great, and according to the comments left by "reviewers," they were simply awful. The app offers two controller variations: digital and analog, both extremely difficult to use and just a finicky as a wild cat. There was some glimmer of hope that maybe the team behind this port would overhaul the controls in an upcoming patch, however now it looks as if that won't happen.
After loading up iTunes on both the PC and iPod Touch just an hour ago, it seems that Duke Nukem 3D is no longer up for sale. In fact, searching for the title only brings up the premium and free Duke Nukem Soundboards. The application was indeed on iTunes earlier today, however Apple has not provided any information as to why the game is no longer listed in the App Store. Machineworks also does not provide information.
It wouldn't be surprising if Apple discovered something "offensive" with the game and decided to pull it. In the little bit we played, the game provided the same phrases found in the PC version all the while not indicating to the end-user that it contains inappropriate material for younger players. Heck, maybe the team decided to revamp the entire game and implement a new control scheme. We'll see.
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Duke's not worried. He's got balls of steel.
balls of steel!
Let me guess, "Shake it baby".
Regulas beat me to it
refuned or what?
I wonder if fixing the the control scheme will take
forever
Well I just checked the app store and the game is back again. All of you can get your copy for just $2.99. So I guess the time it went down might have been just a fluke.
So no need to get all worked up for every app that suddenly becomes unavailable. Way too paranoic here, way too paranoic!
If apple did pull it (and perhaps put it back as ie49589 claims it is back) it wouldn't be a surprise. I'm not even sure why Apple does this as they freely allow games that can easily be considered offensive on the Mac so why are handheld devices any different? It reminds me of their 1984 commercial way back and how they are really starting to become what they claim they were opposed to.
If apple did pull it (and perhaps put it back as ie49589 claims it is back)
It's not "perhaps" bud it IS being sold RIGHT NOW. Don't believe me? Just go ahead and go to the app store, easily accessible from your iPhone/iPod Touch (if you have one of those) or from iTunes (which you can easily obtain from apple.com)
I don't know why they pulled the game from the app store, and I don't know why it's back again, but as of now, the game is right there to purchase.
Get your facts straight before opening your mouth. Later.
Why buy it?
Download the Hi-Res version for free for playing as originally intended
On your PC
...because many people use their phone as a portable gaming device on flights, while waiting on someone, or on break. Why play simple games like tetris when you can play duke?
Hail to the King, baby!
ie49589 - chill the heck out, man! NuclearShadow didn't implie you lied, dude, he was just quoting you.
BOOOORN TOO BEE WIIIIIILLLLDDDD !!!!
i am very sick of apple.
I got this a while ago and, like the reviewers say, it is a dog to control. I haven't tried it again since, even though the original game is probably my favourite game in history.
"It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum and I'm all out of gum!"
Clearly Apply gave Duke some bubble gum.
Duke3D on iPhone just isn't Duke3D. Even while it looks the same it doesn't feel the same.
But keep calling yourself old school.
The problem with computers is that with each new iteration of OS or hardware, the old stuff gets lost. All our records on 5.25 floppies and Bernoulli 100mb drives are inaccessible these days. Games like Duke Nukem 3d won't work on WinXP systems. It's awful.
Somehow though, Duke 3d has lost its charm. Far Cry and Call of Duty have really ruined my perspective of what a good game is. I can't go back to Duke 3d and say it's an awesome game in this day and age even though I absolutely loved it when it was released.
well if the game got 2 stars and tons of negative reviews due to bad controls, "I" the developer would personally pull it to revamp the game and make it better.
Funny how they pull Duke because of control issues, or whatever, but the exploding iPods stay on store shelves. Too funny.