Why a Pirated iOS Port of Blue Prince Is Taking the App Store by Storm

Apple’s App Store is embroiled in a controversy again, this time over an unofficial mobile version of the popular game, Blue Prince. The developer, Dogubomb, and publisher, Raw Fury, recently sought to alert fans after discovering copies of the game surfacing on iOS.

In a joint statement, they confirmed they’ve received reports about unverified apps claiming to be Blue Prince, which is officially available only on platforms like Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.

I found one such iOS clone easily by searching for Blue Prince in the App Store. It popped up first, complete with an appealing icon and what appeared to be authentic screenshots. However, curiosity led me to dig deeper. The seller was listed as “Samet Altinay,” and I couldn’t find any credible links to Blue Prince. Furthermore, the copyright was incorrectly labeled as “DogBomb,” not Dogubomb.

Curious about its quality, I decided to purchase the unofficial version for $9.99 and installed it on my iPhone 16 Pro. Within minutes, I realized it was a nearly identical version of Blue Prince but with mobile-friendly adjustments, like a virtual joystick. However, I encountered a significant glitch: I fell through the floor while trying to pass through a door, a bug also mentioned by another user who reviewed the app.

This clone is currently sitting as the #8 paid app in the Entertainment category on iOS, despite only having one three-star review. It highlights the challenges Apple faces overseeing its App Store, as it has previously allowed similar copycat games, such as Wordle and Palworld, to slip through.

Dogubomb and Raw Fury haven’t confirmed plans for an iOS port of their game. They emphasized in their statement that they have no updates regarding other platforms for now but promised to keep fans informed. They urged users not to download unverified apps while investigating the situation.

App cloning has become a pressing issue in the gaming industry, leading some experts to suggest stricter regulations. Research indicates that nearly 30% of apps in app stores are replicas or unauthorized copies. This statistic emphasizes the need for companies like Apple to enhance their review processes.

As part of a broader trend, gamers on platforms like Twitter have expressed their frustration over such unofficial versions. Many worry about security risks and whether these clones can deliver the same experience. Ultimately, this situation serves as a reminder of how quickly the landscape of mobile gaming can change, and the importance of supporting original creators.

For a more in-depth look at app store cloning and its implications, you can check resources from The Entertainment Software Association.

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