Something went wrong. Try again later

Giant Bomb News

234 Comments

The Story Behind Phone Story, Apple's Latest App Store Ban

Paolo Pedercini's sharp critique of Apple and modern tech consumerism was approved before it was banned.

No Caption Provided

Apple approved Phone Story for sale in its App Store last Friday. The application's developer, Molleindustria, decided to be patient and prepare a formal announcement for the week after. Just before noon, only hours prior to the official news going out, Phone Story was taken down. As of this writing, it's still not available in the App Store.

Phone Story is not a traditional piece of software. It's a game and interactive statement, using the attraction of game mechanics to pull players into a charged narrative that has a very specific message to convey. Phone Story wants to remind users about the impact their love of electronic devices and how an obsession with The New Thing has consequences around the world.

Phone Story is split into four mini-games. First, you're directing soldiers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to maintain an efficient workforce of children extracting the resources needed for the devices we love. In another, you're directing a grounded safety net around to catch assembly line workers from committing suicide, a commentary on the ongoing tragedies at factories abroad, such as Foxconn. In the third mini-game, you're an "Apple" employee tossing devices at hungry, mindless customers. The final game invokes the dirty process of recycling discarded devices, as different iDevice pieces come down the screen.

A narrator is present throughout the entire experience, putting the mini-games in context.

Paolo Pedercini intended to make a statement, but Apple's content guidelines are not very clear.
Paolo Pedercini intended to make a statement, but Apple's content guidelines are not very clear.

30-year-old Pittsburgh, PA resident Paolo Pedercini is the creator of Phone Story, a designer unafraid to shock you--but doesn't come across as someone merely hoping to shock. He also wants you to listen.

When I first emailed Pedercini, I asked the obvious question: didn't you know this would happen?

"I'm very familiar with the app store policy and the game is designed to be compliant with it," he said. "If the project was just about being censored we could have gone further. [...] If you check the guidelines, Phone Story doesn't really violate any rule except for the generic 'excessively objectionable and crude content' and maybe the 'depiction of abuse of children.' Yes, there's dark humor and violence but it's cartoonish and stylized--way more mellow than a lot of other games on the App Store."

Pedercini wouldn't expand on Phone Story might have changed if he'd purposely gone "further," but to underscore his provocateur nature, Pedercini told me about an application he had been mulling over. It's...explicit.

"A similar project that I was planning to distribute only to jailbroken devices," he said, "involved a dominatrix talking vagina the user was supposed to lick regularly (little known fact: touch screens work with your tongue) like a virtual pet for phone fetishists."

Like I said: provocateur.

Players click/touch the children who decide to take a break from mining more materials.
Players click/touch the children who decide to take a break from mining more materials.

Pedercini received a phone call from an Apple employee named Richard when Phone Story was removed. The employee was open to a discussion, but their conversation didn't last very long. Pedercini was told his application had been removed for violating the following guidelines:

  • 15.2 Apps that depict violence or abuse of children will be rejected
  • 16.1 Apps that present excessively objectionable or crude content will be rejected
  • 21.1 Apps that include the ability to make donations to recognized charitable organizations must be free
  • 21.2 The collection of donations must be done via a web site in Safari or an SMS

Phone Story does not solicit donations through the application--that would be handled when profits came in from sales. Since Phone Story has been removed, it's unclear whether that will happen with its iOS release, as Pedercini isn't clear how many people were able to purchase the application before it was pulled down. 15.2 provides the biggest issue for Pedercini, as his depiction is front and center in Phone Story, and while he may disagree with Apple's interpretation, the App Store is curated.

"We are considering to make an app that uses broad metaphors to address the same issues," he said. "That's what directors used to do during McCarthyism and artists used to under totalitarian regimes. In an Apple-controlled technological world, where computers are replaced by dumb tablets, we'll have to resume strategies from the dark times of our history."

If you have an Android phone, you don't have to wait, as the application is now available there. I played Phone Story on my Mac and not my iPhone, thanks to a version he provided me. It's unclear if what I played will be released.

Suicide nets were installed at Foxconn facilities following a large number of employee suicides.
Suicide nets were installed at Foxconn facilities following a large number of employee suicides.

The App Store is familiar to this kind of controversy. Now former Apple CEO Steve Jobs' personal stance, which defines Apple, has been clear on pornography, but when it comes to satire, politics and social commentary, where the line should be drawn hasn't been clear.

Pulitzer winner cartoonist Mark Fiore had his application pulled for poking fun at political figures. Media outrage prompted Apple to allow it back. Such decisions come on a case-by-case basis, however, and small, independent developers like Pedercini have little way of fighting back.

"I own an iPhone and I've been following all of the issues addressed in the game--things that make me uncomfortable as a consumer and as software developer," he said. "Since the App Store [opened] people kept asking me: 'Why don't you make a game for iPhone?' and I had to talk for a while about what I think is wrong in this Apple-complex. This game is basically the answer to that simple question."

Even though Phone Story is available on Android, don't assume that's explicit approval of Google, either. Pedercini has his own concerns there, but for now, pivoting there is his only option to respond quickly.

"I'd be much happier if the game was actually available to everybody and possibly generating discussions around the issues it addresses instead of creating even more debate around the controversial App Store policies," he said.

More information on Pedercini's concerns about modern consumerism, its effects on the world, proposed solutions to the problem and what you can do to influence the cause one way or the other can be found at Phone Story's website.

Patrick Klepek on Google+

234 Comments

Avatar image for internetdetective
InternetDetective

356

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Paolo is a hypocrite. He seems to be wearing modern, manufactured clothing in that photo and I'm sure it is nearly impossible to develop a game without using any kind of "blood technology".

If this guy really feels so bad about exploiting the rotten side of human nature he should be living in the woods off the grid eating slugs and sticks, not making ironic "video games".

Paolo I hope you get mauled by a bear.

Avatar image for sander
Sander

425

Forum Posts

61

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 1

Edited By Sander

And look at all the technophiles throw a tantrum when their little toys are threatened! Desperation is a lot closer than we think. This dude knows how to push all the right buttons.
 
Awesome to see somebody with some serious cojones. 

Avatar image for discoman
Discoman

203

Forum Posts

1086

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Discoman

@Napalm:

Sorry that I divulge pertinent information.

Avatar image for angryredplumber
AngryRedPlumber

273

Forum Posts

1280

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 8

Edited By AngryRedPlumber

@Demoskinos: My mistake, you initially said "I feel bad" and now you are saying that you "refuse to feel bad". Sorry for thinking you are empathetic!

Avatar image for starfurydysan
starfurydysan

66

Forum Posts

4

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By starfurydysan

It's the fact he didn't follow rule of 21.1 that makes me think he is a douche. I have to pay him first for the "game" that will talk down to me for buying the app and using the device I use, in order to donate to a charity through it.

Avatar image for internetdetective
InternetDetective

356

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Sander: So what are you, a self-hating technophile?

Avatar image for sander
Sander

425

Forum Posts

61

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 1

Edited By Sander
@InternetDetective: No. I'm in the game, but not of the game. 
 
"You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it."
Avatar image for tricky69
tricky69

329

Forum Posts

309

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By tricky69

@Napalm said:

@Discoman said:

None of this comes as a surprise. All Apple ever had was a good ad campaign. I remember people soiling themselves back in 2006, waiting for Apple to talk about a video IPod. If they looked on the market they'd see that it's been done, but no that doesn't matter because APPLE hasn't graced us with it yet. Horse shit. People are such drones when it comes to apple products. Frankly, I've never seen such a product go through so many iterations in such a short amount of time, each with such minuscule differences.

As for all this people exploitation: welcome to capitalism; it is about the quick and easy buck. You don't like it? Tough, cause there's no way around it. Why is the US of A involved in the Mideast to everyone's disdain? Oil, it makes the world go round. This is no different.

This isn't a place for your soapbox.

There's nothing wrong with making a well put together statement about the news article.

Avatar image for internetdetective
InternetDetective

356

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Sander: You want to have a Matrix quote battle about this?

"I know Kung-Fu."

Avatar image for sander
Sander

425

Forum Posts

61

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 1

Edited By Sander

"Whoa"

Avatar image for everydayodyssey
EverydayOdyssey

190

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 2

Edited By EverydayOdyssey

Great job, Patrick. Very interesting read.

Avatar image for skald
Skald

4450

Forum Posts

621

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 7

Edited By Skald

Whoever approved an app with factory workers jumping to their death should probably be fired anyway, regardless of whatever else that app happened to contain.

Avatar image for musubi
musubi

17524

Forum Posts

5650

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 17

Edited By musubi

@AngryRedPlumber: No, I have plenty of empathy for the people in the situations they are in but I also refuse to feel bad when someone makes an "ironic" game like this trying to push how horrible all these situations are all while using this so called "Blood" technology to make it. Thats called being a hypocrite.

Avatar image for musubi
musubi

17524

Forum Posts

5650

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 17

Edited By musubi

@Sander: The only "button" he is pushing is the Hypocrite button. I'm going to teach people about how evil all of this blood technology is by making a game with the said technology! Please. This guy couldn't be more of a hypocrite if he tried.

Avatar image for yyziggurat
yyZiggurat

1080

Forum Posts

366

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By yyZiggurat

Great article, Patrick. I would like to buy this game but I only have a dumb phone.

Avatar image for kyrieee
kyrieee

401

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By kyrieee

@Demoskinos said:

@Sander: The only "button" he is pushing is the Hypocrite button. I'm going to teach people about how evil all of this blood technology is by making a game with the said technology! Please. This guy couldn't be more of a hypocrite if he tried.

That doesn't make him a hypocrite in any way. The point is of the game not to criticise consumers but to make them aware and put pressure on the manufacturers.

Avatar image for kyrieee
kyrieee

401

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By kyrieee

@InternetDetective said:

Paolo is a hypocrite. He seems to be wearing modern, manufactured clothing in that photo and I'm sure it is nearly impossible to develop a game without using any kind of "blood technology".

If this guy really feels so bad about exploiting the rotten side of human nature he should be living in the woods off the grid eating slugs and sticks, not making ironic "video games".

Paolo I hope you get mauled by a bear.

Yeah! He deserves to die a painful death for making a statement with a videogame!

Avatar image for angryredplumber
AngryRedPlumber

273

Forum Posts

1280

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 8

Edited By AngryRedPlumber

@Demoskinos: I can understand how one might feel this way. However, I would assume that the developer of this App likes technology such as iPhones, but merely wants to expose the fact they there are inhumane business practices behind the devices' creation. So, creating a smartphone App is a perfect way to target the very consumers who indirectly support those practices. Also, if you check out the Phone Story website, you can see the developer's plans to redistribute his income from the game to organizations that try to correct such bad business practices. It also looks like they are going to be rather transparant about showing where those funds go. But, I guess if you feel differently, we simply disagree. I appreciate that this discourse has been civil.

Avatar image for sander
Sander

425

Forum Posts

61

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 1

Edited By Sander
@Demoskinos said:

@Sander: The only "button" he is pushing is the Hypocrite button. I'm going to teach people about how evil all of this blood technology is by making a game with the said technology! Please. This guy couldn't be more of a hypocrite if he tried.

No, in order for it to qualify as hypocrisy, he would have to have used the same methods to make his software that he condemns in the manufacture and disposal of the hardware. The usage of a medium isn't a promotion or endorsement of that medium, as your implication.
You'll find this of interest,that is if you're not just throwing around large words and blowing hot air.
Avatar image for corvak
Corvak

2048

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Corvak

The very best part about this, is that this app was intended to make a statement, get people thinking about the true cost of our consumer driven economy. It being banned has given it far more press exposure than it being for sale on the App Store ever did.

But what can we do differently? If we just stopped buying electronics, these same people working for pennies a day would probably starve. Apple could respond to this in a better way. Use some of those billions to improve the conditions and provide education...it would be a PR and marketing gold mine, and they could build an ad campaign about something positive, instead of simply slandering Microsoft for laughs. Why not try Thinking Different, Apple?

Avatar image for markofmacc
markofmacc

10

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By markofmacc

mmmmm

Avatar image for seriouslynow
SeriouslyNow

8504

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By SeriouslyNow

@InternetDetective said:

Paolo is a hypocrite. He seems to be wearing modern, manufactured clothing in that photo and I'm sure it is nearly impossible to develop a game without using any kind of "blood technology".

If this guy really feels so bad about exploiting the rotten side of human nature he should be living in the woods off the grid eating slugs and sticks, not making ironic "video games".

Paolo I hope you get mauled by a bear.

By that logic nobody should ever write anything critical of anyone because everyone in a developed country is a hypocrite. That's some pretty aggressively fucked up logic.

Avatar image for megalowho
megalowho

1148

Forum Posts

4888

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 28

Edited By megalowho

I downloaded Phone Story on the Android marketplace because of this article. Happy to donate $1, but the experience itself left a bad taste in my mouth. I guess there is a fine line between thoughtful and off putting when it comes to "message" games, and this certainly fell into the latter.

The idea is great but execution falls flat, I felt like an angry forum post from Yahoo News was being dictated at me by a know-it-all. And when you fail a minigame for not knowing what they want you to do, you are scolded for "pretending you're not complicit." It lasts about 5 minutes too. Of course this should be on the App Store, I'm wary of censorship in any form, but it's just not a groundbreaking or interesting enough title to warrant any kind of controversy.

Avatar image for jjpenguin
JJpenguin

52

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By JJpenguin

The problem I have with a statement made through the medium of an iPhone app is that the people who can really make a difference won't play it, probably wont hear about it, and even if they did, they wont care. The factories like foxconn are driven by numbers, they don't give a shit about some little minigame collection. Besides, cheap labour is pretty much what keeps large parts of the developing worlds employed.

Avatar image for chrisone
chrisone

52

Forum Posts

405

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By chrisone

Meeh.. I'm not jonesing for this game anyway..

Avatar image for dragonbloodthirsty
DragonBloodthirsty

556

Forum Posts

1675

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 40

User Lists: 4

@SSully said:

DOWN WITH THE SYSTEM!

But in all seriousness it makes sense why this was taken down. It doesnt matter how stylized the graphics are, it depicts people killing themselves, illegal child labor and the most obvious thing it does is openly insult the company who owns the device he is trying to put the game on.

With all that said do I support apples decision? No, I am all for open systems, but if I ran apples app store I personally wouldn't let this shit on there.

Also I would like to try this, but this guy has another thing coming if he thinks I am going to pay a dollar to experience this "game"

For the record, the child labor is not illegal in most countries where it is practiced, and many of the things provided to consumer culture are made through child labor. I think the point was more to generate discussion than to sell you a particular game. I don't think his end goal was "make money".

Avatar image for g0rd0nfr33m4n
G0rd0nFr33m4n

826

Forum Posts

2263

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 12

User Lists: 18

Edited By G0rd0nFr33m4n

@EverydayOdyssey said:

Great job, Patrick. Very interesting read.

Indeed. I find it very very disturbing to know out there there is a company, that is soooo bad in terms of their work environment and abusive nature, that they have installed suicide nets ! WTF!

Avatar image for lockwoodx
lockwoodx

2531

Forum Posts

6

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By lockwoodx

I'd trade Patrick for Kessler in a heartbeat, but I have to admit Patrick finds some great articles. Keep him off camera and you're golden.

Avatar image for AxleBro
AxleBro

810

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By AxleBro

man.... other countries are a big bummer... bigger than the one i live in.... :/ why cant we all be like.... happy.... and not dying...

fuck the system, bro.

this isnt even 100% sarcasm.... which is what i was trying to write.... damn it.

Avatar image for norusdog
Norusdog

356

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Norusdog

create a game that violates a ToS or set of rules and it'll get pulled?

who knew....

seriously...this isn't news worthy...

Avatar image for dcam
DCam

147

Forum Posts

1012

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By DCam

The problem with a statement made through the medium of an iPhone app is that the people who play it can really make a difference, but probably don't know how, and even after they have played, they still won't care. The factories like Foxconn are driven by sales, they get shit on by big controversies in their market countries. Although, cheap goods is pretty much what keeps large parts of the developed world satisfied.

Avatar image for penguindust
penguindust

13129

Forum Posts

22

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By penguindust

The game itself, Phone Story sounds clumsy and heavy handed. I believe the artist/designer wanted to be barred so that people would read about it. Controversy is the cheapest publicity. I don't have any sympathy for him. The whole project lacks creativity. Still, even bad art deserves to be free of censorship. Fortunately for him, there are other options available to distribute his game.

Avatar image for gamer_152
gamer_152

15034

Forum Posts

74588

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 71

User Lists: 6

Edited By gamer_152  Moderator

It's good to see some genuinely intelligent discussion going on in this comments section, but some of these posts just make me sad. This was a great article from Patrick and you can call Paolo a hypocrite all you like, I fail to see how he's supposed to be a worse person than everyone else when he's actually trying to raise awareness about these kinds of business practises, while everyone else just turns a blind eye.

Avatar image for xsheps
Xsheps

123

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Xsheps

To get the best experience from this game, you would have to play it on a device that is not made in part by blood diamonds, suicidal factory workers, and the like. Good luck finding that device.