When iOS gamers hopped onto Apple’s top selling list to peruse potential new purchases, one game managed to raise a few eyebrows:Minecraft: Pocket Edition 2. The “sequel,” released on December 21st, quickly climbed the charts and became the fourth best selling title for the service. But when the game is booted up, it’s pretty much as far fromMinecraftas humanly possible.
Those who did pick up the mobile title found thatMinecraft: Pocket Edition 2was actually a top-down swipe game that pit Scorpion fromMortal Kombatagainst endless waves of poorly rendered zombies. While the fraudulent sequel is certainly getting chuckles from the gaming community for its blatant misrepresentation,MinecraftdeveloperMojangisn’t laughing.
While the game remains available for purchase currently, where it retails for $5, Mojang has stated that they are actively working with Apple to get the game pulled. Despite the misrepresentation, the company took the situation in stride, with Owen Hill, Mojang’s director of creative communications, telling Eurogamer:
“It’s great that Minecraft has inspired people to create amazing things, but when a product attempts to dupe our community or exploit their enthusiasm for the game, it’s our responsibility to step in.”
With the Apple store dominated byMinecrafttitles (withMinecraft: Pocket Editionand Telltale’sMinecraft: Story Modesitting high on the best selling charts), it was inevitable that a game bearing theMinecraftname would sell like hot cakes. Copycats and “spiritual successors” are sometimes even more successful than the titles they emulate.
Internet sleuths have hopped on the debacle, combing through available information in an attempt to ascertain where the game came from. To add to the confusion, the game is credited to “Scott Cawthorn,” which is simply a misspelling ofFive Nights at Freddy’screator’s Scott Cawthon. However, examining the game’s copyright notice credits the title to Viktor Todorov
Minecraft: Pocket Edition 2isn’t the first iOS game to piggyback onMinecraft’s success, with knock-offs such asBlock CraftandBlock City Warspopping up inMinecraft’s wake. ButMinecraft: Pocket Edition 2presents itself as a genuineMinecraftgame, while the various knock-offs that litter the Apple store make it clear they are not associated with the series.
The reviews ofMinecraft: Pocket Edition 2are also filled with calls for the game’s deletion and accusations of scams, so it is unlikely the game will remain on the best selling list for long. But with Mojang and Microsoft consideringmaking aMinecraft 2some day, the last thing the company needs is a crummy game starring Scorpion creating confusion.
