Apple Removes Subscription-Based iPad Gaming App from App Store

big fish games play instantlyJust yesterday, a report surfaced regarding Big Fish Games' plans to launch a subscription-based gaming service on the iPad. For a monthly fee initially set at $4.99, the service would allow users to access a number of Big Fish-distributed games through a dedicated app.

The app had actually been available since last week, although new subscriptions had been disabled ahead of the official launch due to high demand, according to the developer. But with the Bloomberg report from yesterday and a press release from Big Fish Games this morning, the new service appeared to be up and running.

The offering did not last long, however, as Apple quickly pulled the app following the official launch. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Big Fish Games claims to be in the dark about Apple's reasons for removing the app.

[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 declined to comment to Bloomberg on the app's removal and has not yet responded to Big Fish's requests for explanation, leaving questions about whether Apple will indeed allow subscription-based gaming services on the App Store and about how to reconcile the app's removal with Big Fish Games' claims that it worked rather closely with Apple to ensure the approval of the app.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...

Top Rated Comments

Caharin Avatar
180 months ago
Wait for it ... waaaaaaitt for it ....

"This smells fishy!"

/flee
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sigjuice Avatar
180 months ago
Renting?

So instead of selling me some game which I can play forever, they want to charge me rent every month? As a consumer, why should I care about subscription games?
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
echo2011 Avatar
180 months ago
when is ios 6 coming out?
lmao
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shackrat Avatar
180 months ago
Not surprised...

I can see a couple big reasons for apple to pull this. The biggest one is that they are essentially creating their own App Store. Secondly, this allows additional binary code to be downloaded and run on a device, without prior apple approval... Another big no-no. I am surprised that it got as far as it did.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EBSkater Avatar
180 months ago
So instead of selling me some game which I can play forever, they want to charge me rent every month? As a consumer, why should I care about subscription games?
I'm glad about this. The freemiums are bad enough, subscription gaming would be almost as bad.

I wasn't too impressed to see the Chaos Worlds, or whatever it's called (the World Of Warcraft-esque game) on the app store, but if subscription gaming came into play, then the AppStore would just go downhill.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
slrandall Avatar
180 months ago
So instead of selling me some game which I can play forever, they want to charge me rent every month? As a consumer, why should I care about subscription games?

I agree. I'd much rather own a game than rent it. Who cares about subscription games?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)