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Apple pulls "Sweatshop" game from the App Store

Apple pulls "Sweatshop" game from the App Store

Posted: 22 Mar 2013, 17:21, by Michael H.

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We're not exactly sure why Apple would do something like this. It would seem that the last thing the company would want would be to have its name in headlines with the word "sweatshop", given the issues it been dealing with in China. But, news has broken that Apple pulled a socially-aware game called Sweatshop HD from the App Store about a month ago.

It seems as though Apple simply doesn't like when people "critically reflect" on the origins of consumer goods. In 2011, Apple banned Phone Story which was a socially-aware game intended to make people face the business practices used in Africa in order to mine materials that are used in cell phones. This is essentially the same thing happening now. Sweatshop HD is a game which intended to make people critically reflect on the business practices behind the manufacture of clothing.

In the game, you were given the option to hire child labor, and you had to constantly deal with like fires, worker fatigue, and horrifying injuries, while managing your sweatshop. The game was verified for realism by Labour Behind The Label, a UK-based charity that raises awareness about sweatshops. The developer was told that Apple was "uncomfortable selling a game based around the theme of running a sweatshop".

There is still a web based version of the game, if you'd like to try it out and see the game that Apple banned.

source: Polygon via ReadWriteWeb

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1. kozza3 posted on 22 Mar 2013, 17:26 8 0

interesting approach

2. p0rkguy posted on 22 Mar 2013, 17:40 12 1

Why aren't they banning Cooking Mama? It was one of the first physical labor games on iOS. Hell, that b*tch was making me cook stuff I didn't want to. I don't want to put no damn scallions in my omelette.
Why not FPS games? They're quite graphic and shows violence.

3. DarkShadow posted on 22 Mar 2013, 17:48 3 9

it about time thier to pull this trash ,And why so long hummm

4. lyndon420 posted on 22 Mar 2013, 17:52 1 6

It's wrong. I'll give Apple credit for that.

5. PapaSmurf posted on 22 Mar 2013, 18:31 11 1

But it did it's job: gain the attention of people and raise awareness of what really happens. Apple is scared because they pull the same practices.

6. pixelado posted on 22 Mar 2013, 18:42 3 0

Hipocrisy explained, or trying to saving face?

7. techloverNYC posted on 23 Mar 2013, 01:07 0 0

This main goal of this game is to develop management level slave labor executives.

8. Timmehor posted on 23 Mar 2013, 03:14 5 0

Looks like what really goes down at Foxconn. Probably why Apple pulled it. Its so sad what happens at that place.

9. ANANDALTER posted on 23 Mar 2013, 09:47 0 0

i hate that old video games music

10. Aeires (unregistered) posted on 23 Mar 2013, 11:32 1 0

Bigger question is why was it allowed to begin with? Their approval process is supposed to be near perfect, some say. Appears it's not.

11. ZeroCide posted on 25 Mar 2013, 20:15 0 0

This was pulled cuz it hits to close to home.

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Apple pulls "Sweatshop" game from the App Store

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11 Comments Follow Following

1. kozza3 posted on 22 Mar 2013, 17:26 8 0

2. p0rkguy posted on 22 Mar 2013, 17:40 12 1

3. DarkShadow posted on 22 Mar 2013, 17:48 3 9

4. lyndon420 posted on 22 Mar 2013, 17:52 1 6

5. PapaSmurf posted on 22 Mar 2013, 18:31 11 1

6. pixelado posted on 22 Mar 2013, 18:42 3 0

7. techloverNYC posted on 23 Mar 2013, 01:07 0 0

8. Timmehor posted on 23 Mar 2013, 03:14 5 0

9. ANANDALTER posted on 23 Mar 2013, 09:47 0 0

10. Aeires (unregistered) posted on 23 Mar 2013, 11:32 1 0

11. ZeroCide posted on 25 Mar 2013, 20:15 0 0

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