Apple Removes 'Texas Hold'em', its Only iOS Game, from App Store

Thursday November 17, 2011 6:40 am PST by Eric Slivka
In a bit of an interesting move, Apple has removed its Texas Hold'em game from the App Store, potentially marking the end of the only game Apple ever produced on its own for the App Store.

Texas Hold'em began life as a game for non-iOS iPod models, debuting in late 2006. As Apple introduced the iPhone just a few months later, rumors circulated that Apple was getting serious about gaming, in part evidenced by its in-house work on Texas Hold'em for the iPod.


When Apple officially launched the App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch in 2008 to allow third-party developers to create apps for iOS, Texas Hold'em appeared as a debut title with greatly enhanced functionality over the traditional iPod version, further fueling claims of Apple's interest in pursuing game development of its own.

Apple's early interest in producing its own games for the iPod and later iOS appear to have stemmed from concerns over its ability to attract third-party developers to the platform, or at least to provide those developers with an example of what could be done on the devices. As large developers such as EA and Gameloft and a host of smaller developers all flocked to the platform, Apple undoubtedly quickly discovered that it did not need to support its devices with its own gaming content.


Unsurprisingly, Apple has not released any information on the reason behind the disappearance of Texas Hold'em, which sold for $4.99 and was last updated in September 2008. A dedicated page about the game remains active on Apple's site at this time, although it is not featured on or linked to from other App Store pages on the site.

(Thanks, Travis!)

Update: Apple has now removed the Texas Hold'em feature page from apple.com.

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EvanLugh
105 months ago
Shame, i enjoyed this game as it was very well polished. Hopefully they've just pulled it temporarily.
Rating: 11 Votes
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ProVideo
105 months ago
The game looks dated like a CD-ROM game from 1996. I'm sure it didn't live up to Apple's standards anymore when compared to what else was available. Most of the reviews in the past year were bad anyways and complaining about how it hasn't been updated.
Rating: 8 Votes
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charlituna
105 months ago

I just ena apple support, requesting reimbursement for the $4.99 I spent on this app. Will post once I receive a response.


You likely won't get a refund. Especially if you bought it back when it first released.

The TC says all sales are final. It also says that apps could be removed from the store for a number of reasons including the developer wants it removed. It doesn't stop working if it is removed from the store after all. Also the version of iOS it was made for is rather clear from the last update date, the requirements etc so it is isn't working so awesome you should have been able to guess that could happen from the last update being 3 years ago.

Basically you have zero grounds to demand a refund, you won't likely get one and they will probably politely say no and suggest you read the TC you agreed to when you created your account and many times since then. Yeah yeah you didn't bother reading it any of those times. You still agreed to follow them.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Gasu E.
105 months ago

Here are some reasons:
- Apple does no longer see iDevices as gaming devices. (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/11/06/doom_game_creator_suggests_apple_embarrassed_about_iphone_gaming.html)


That's a two-year old quote from Carmack. I tend to doubt that is still the prevailing opinion of Apple execs, if it even was truly the prevailing opinion at the time.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Small White Car
105 months ago
Makes sense. This doesn't seem like a business Apple would really be interested in other than the fact that they wanted to make iPods more appealing.

I think it's safe to say that the app store doesn't need any help on that end any more.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Jon Black
105 months ago


Damn. I play this all the time and was hoping for an update soon. It's hasnt worked properly for a while now. Winning a table and taking 12BB to the final is no good to anyone.
Rating: 3 Votes
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charlituna
105 months ago

Apple does no longer see iDevices as gaming devices. (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/11/06/doom_game_creator_suggests_apple_embarrassed_about_iphone_gaming.html)


That is some developers opinion and could be erroneous. Apple just isn't designing their devices/software optimized for what games and game creators think is THE way to design them (4000dpi screens, 3.0 quad core processors, 20 GB of ram etc) but rather for the common user. Same game they do with their prosumer software and common man computers. Which also peeves the gamers because they think Apple should focus on what they want not what their grannies would need
Rating: 3 Votes
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androiphone
105 months ago
if they are just going to get rid of it why not give it away for free??

I mean it's not like it would cost them money doing that.
Rating: 2 Votes
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charlituna
105 months ago

That's a two-year old quote from Carmack. I tend to doubt that is still the prevailing opinion of Apple execs, if it even were truly the prevailing opinion at the time.


He had zero proof it was the opinion even back then. He just 'believed' it was based on his not getting the responses he thought he should.
Rating: 2 Votes
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ProVideo
105 months ago
I think Apple should make a free version of Breakout available as a tribute to Jobs and Woz like they had it as an easter egg on the iPod. Maybe make it an easter egg in the Game Center app or something.
Rating: 2 Votes

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