There seems to be some drama behind the prolonged delay of the international release of Plants vs Zombies 2 for Android, with Apple being pointed as the culprit. Naturally, Apple denies giving game publisher Electronic Arts (EA) a “truckload of money” to exclusively release the hit game on iOS first before unleashing it to the rest of the world.
There is no doubt about the popularity and success of the game, and the figures since the launch of the sequel in August speak for themselves. Unfortunately for us, the game launched first and only on iOS, which isn’t actually uncommon with some big titles. However, just a few weeks ago, an Android version of the game popped up for the Chinese market, with an international Android version nowhere in sight.
If the statement of EA Labels head Frank Gibeau is to be believed, Apple had a hand in causing the situation. In an internal EA town hall meeting, Gibeau was quoted to have said that Apple gave the company an undisclosed large amount of money to delay the Android version of Plants vs. Zombies 2. Game maker PopCap refused to comment on internal matters and Apple denies the accusation.
Such underhanded tactics are really not that uncommon among big players in the games industry, so it should only come as a very mild shock that it would happen to a hit title like Plants vs. Zombies. That said, there’s nothing we can really do about it except gnash our teeth and await for the arrival of the reanimated dead rumored to come in October.
VIA: Giant Bomb
Well this procedure seems to be normal. Apple needs those big players to release their apps and games for ios first because this is the only left advantage over android, windows phone they have. Although I would deny that people are buying specific devices because some apps might be released one or two weeks earlier for that platform.
Android should fight back and try to do the same thing. It’s a shame only Apple really cares enough to fight to give their customers first access. But it’s also kind of sad companies fight over it too.
i dont blame android for not releasing something that doesnt belong to them. i get upset with EA for allowing apple to bribe them into releasing it early for them and leaving android customers with there hands up. companies only hurt customers and themselves in the process.
iPhone users would get the game at the same time whether Apple paid or not. It’s everybody else that’s delayed. So does Apple care about their customers, or just really hate the rest of you?
What bribe? EA probably signed a limited-time exclusivity deal in exchange for a larger portion of in-app purchase sales. Since iOS users are more likely to spend money on and in games this isn’t particularly unusual or surprising, is it?
we are talking 2 different platforms, wth does sales on one have to do with the other?????
Why waste time and money porting a game to a platform used by people who are unlikely to make IAP’s?
Again, that does not answer the simple question for Apple wanting them to delay the launch now does it???
In no way will the delay affect the sales whether IAP or not for Apple.
The Company can make any game for any platform they want, that’s a business decision. Now if it was the same platform, yes, it may take away from sales.
The answer to your question is this: ANDROID USERS RARELY PAY FOR CONTENT. WHY WOULD ANY COMPANY WASTE TIME PORTING GAMES TO A PLATFORM THAT MAKES THEM NO MONEY?
As far as Apple is concerned, they aren’t trying to inconvenience Android users; in fact, the headline for this story includes the word “rumor” for a reason. This is just your daily fix of rage, which you direct at a world that you can’t control or influence in any meaningful way, outside of your sphere of friends and family.
If Apple signs an agreement with a company to make this or that app “iOS only” for a few months, so what? These are all for-profit companies, and this is how the game is played. Until Android users start paying for apps and IAP’s en masse, this will continue.
YOU ARE CLEARLY CLUELESS!!!!
WHY WOULD THEY YOU ASK???
HOW MANY COMPANIES ARE ALREADY DOING IT???????
LOW MONEY DOESN’T MEAN NO MONEY!!!!!
THAT’S LIKE SAYING WHY MAKE FREE APPS???
COUNTLESS FREE APPS ARE ON BOTH PLATFORMS.
AS I’VE ALREADY SAID, A COMPANY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT, IT’S THEIR APP.
SINCE YOU CONTINUE TO MISS THE POINT…. ONE THING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER, BUT YOU TRIED TO EXPLAIN WITH SOMETHING IRRELEVANT. IT DOESN’T MATTER ABOUT IAP. THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH APPLE.
It does If the involved parties want to make money, which they clearly do. But it’s easier to believe that some company is working behind the scenes like the Guild of Calamitous Intent to hurt the feelings of a small segment of the population, I guess.
Once again, the involved parties can make money, regardless of platform. I’m not certain why you are focusing on IAP?? But there are other ways to make money (advertising) not to mention other reasons for moving apps across platforms for these developers (exposure).
This whole thing is a rumor indeed, and that is my point. It won’t make a difference to Apple as to the timing of when an App moves to Android (or not).
Is this supposed to get me to buy an iphone?
Not gonna happen Apple :p
yup
I played this game once for ten minutes then uninstalled it. Just wasn’t that fun.
With that delay it all they want no biggy.
I think that Apple also bribed developers to make Android apps suck compared to their IOS counterparts.
You need to update the article. The developer has come out to say that the report is inaccurate.
i don’t believe that it is inaccurate story. i believe that his is as accurate as its going to get. apple will do anything to see android users suffer just to win over the customers that refuse to buy there overpriced products. i for one will stand strong against this and refuse to buy apple products as well as EA’s app for allow this to take place in the 1st place. the only ppl it hurts is the fans that want these things. my money is green just like the next guy using iOS.
This really doesn’t come as a surprise considering the names Apple and EA being involved. Does anyone really trust either company?