I found another one - Everyone jump on the bandwagon -- http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/1001-mario-friends-sounds/id355686947?mt=8 - Matt
I noticed that, too. The dev is milking this for everything they can. Some of the fake reviews even imply that it is a collection of games. There are dozens of similar apps (just search for "Mario"). Most of them appear to have no traction. It goes to show how much luck can be involved in going viral. Then again, some of those other apps (to their detriment) are more clear about what they are. The price increase probably only further gives people the impression that it is a game and not just a soundboard. While this is almost certainly illegal, it makes me wonder about strategy guides and the like that include screenshots. There don't have to be officially licensed to the best of my knowledge. Watching this unfold is fascinating in what it says about the typical AppStore shopper.
Here's the chart graph: http://www.topappcharts.com/353421180/app-details-60-mario-and-friends-old-games-are-back.php Astounding Any dev would be proud of that! A 1 and a half star app that shot to the top. It's sort of like those songs that reach the top in the music charts - the novelty ones that are crap and everyone cringes at. I just hope those young games buyers learn a lesson from their impulse buying!
Here's the chart graph for the Entertainment version - cheaper version at 99c: http://www.topappcharts.com/351608745/app-details-mario-friends.php
lessons to learn? This reinforces my suspicion that "number of reviews" can be just as important (if not more) than average review. An app that provokes a strong reaction is more likely to generate a user review. And apps with lots of reviews are treated more credibly by users - users that may not bother reading the text of the reviews. Huge numbers of reviews indicate that good or bad, it's an app that is popular and being used by many people. This effect is quite noticable on the free apps list. There are plenty of apps that are truly cringeworthy (icon, graphics, gameplay) that have managed to stumble into good chart positions.
The ~$15,000 in revenue a day is not something that would disappoint any developer, no matter what app was bringing it in. Anyways, the copy-cat mario soundboards are doing it wrong because they tell you straight up its a soundboard, where as 60 mario & friends is a bit more subtle about what the app does.
You bet its all about money and at the expense of the users. I love there disclaimers though. Ironclad!
It's now removed from the games section and been put in entertainment. It now has a price of $1.99 but if you are ever inclined to get this app then I would upload the 99c version in entertainment - they are both the same product. Apple must be red faced about this one - how did this ever get in the games section, I never know. I see the funny side of this but blatantly misleading people, as well as using copyrighted material is a serious matter!
Nintendo is probably letting it stay up as a slap in the face to people with ipods as their gaming platform, saying "HA, all the Mario YOU get is sounds." It must be an ego boost for them to know that even a fake app like this is creaming the other apps in the appstore because of the sheer stupidity of adolescent boys who buy without reading. Just curious, has anyone bought this app because they wanted sounds?
It seems it is now in entertainment... But guess what, it is almost as worst as its now #1 in all major AppStore country . It seems our complaints to Apple about copyright infringement fall into death ear. And Nintendo didn't seem to have move either. This will make people to do this even more, as they see they can make big $$$ and don't get any trouble in doing so. Imho Apple is definately sending the wrong message here, they should know this isn't an authorize apps and should have remove it, not simply change it category (who knows maybe its the devs that change it themself and nothing to do with Apple).
I agree : So Nintendo will also go after Apple because they make 30% out of it, who is the idiot at Apple who saw this and granted the approval and bring risk of lawsuit to the company ?
It seems to have been removed!! All of them.. Now, I wonder if those who bought it gets their money back - and also if Apple keeps the 30% but charges them on the scammer-dev instead.. that would be an even bigger slap
Why would anyone get their money back? It is currently unheard of for apple to hit the big red kill switch and remotely disable apps even when the app has been pulled. You still have and still get to use what was paid for (even if it was a foolish purchase as in the case of this app)
