Pirated Blue Prince iOS Port Fooled Users: A $10 Scam That Was Quickly Removed
A new scam involving a pirated iOS port of Blue Prince tricked users into paying $10 for a game that wasn’t what it appeared to be. If you’ve ever wondered how unofficial mobile ports make their way onto platforms like the Apple App Store, you’re not alone. Recently, a clone of the popular Blue Prince game surfaced, raising questions about App Store security and developer oversight. This rogue port appeared to be a nearly identical version of the game, but with minor modifications and a glaring issue: it was nothing more than a cheap imitation, fooling unsuspecting players into paying for it.
Before being removed, this iOS clone was easily found by searching “Blue Prince” in the App Store. It stood out in search results due to its seemingly legitimate icon, screenshots from the actual game, and a description that closely matched the official Blue Prince listing. However, a closer inspection revealed critical discrepancies—most notably, the game’s seller was listed as “Samet Altinay,” a name with no known connection to the actual Blue Prince developer, Dogubomb, and the copyright was slightly altered, missing a crucial letter.
This kind of piracy has become an ongoing issue in the digital game market, especially on mobile platforms. It highlights the risks of downloading games from unofficial sources and the importance of vigilance when purchasing apps online. Many users reported encountering bugs shortly after downloading the pirated version, with one user noting a major flaw where the character fell through the floor while attempting to enter a door. These issues were evident to anyone who tested the game, making it clear that the app was hastily put together without proper quality control.
The developer, Dogubomb, alongside the game’s publisher Raw Fury, swiftly responded to the growing reports of pirated Blue Prince versions. They clarified that the game was only available through official channels like Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation, and that they were actively working with Apple to remove these unauthorized listings from the App Store. Fortunately, the clone was taken down quickly after the issue was exposed, but it serves as a cautionary tale about the persistence of digital piracy in today’s app marketplace.
For users, this incident raises a few important points. First, always check for official listings before purchasing or downloading apps, especially when it comes to popular games. If you see unfamiliar seller names or suspiciously altered game descriptions, it's best to steer clear. Second, if you're considering purchasing a game, especially at a premium price like $10, it's worth researching the developer and publisher to confirm their legitimacy. Lastly, this case underscores the need for stricter app store vetting processes to prevent similar scams from affecting users in the future.
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