Submission Rejected - Guideline 4.1 - Design - Copycats

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Created Apr ’22

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I'm looking for a little help understanding what Apple considers a "copycat". I've been trying to get my app on the store for over a week but I fear that no matter what I do it will continue to be rejected pursuant to Guideline 4.1.

I've at least been able to extract from them that the issue lies in the design of the UI, not the metadata.

This app and its metadata appears to be misrepresenting itself as another popular app or game already available on the App Store, from a developer's website or distribution source, or from a third-party platform.

Specifically, the app resembles the popular game Wordle.

We understand that you have removed metadata related to Wordle. However, the UI still resembles the game very closely.

Unfortunately this only confuses me more as there are several Apps on the App store with similar UIs.

Here's a screenshot of my app.

And here's a screenshot of the App store when I search for "wordle".

What's the Word? Logic Game is the one that really gets me as it's literally a Wordle clone but others have a similar UI as well so I don't understand the difference between these apps and mine. If anyone has any insights into what triggers Apple's copycat senses, I'd love to hear them.

For additional context here is the rest of my app's store listing info:

Description: Cordial is a cooperative word puzzle game designed to be played with friends! Take turns with your partner trying to guess the hidden word. Each guess provides clues as to what the hidden word is by indicating which letters are in the word if they're in the correct spot.

Keywords: word,puzzle,game,cooperative,multiplayer

Screenshots (in addition to the one above)

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Answer 1

Claude31 OP

Apr ’22

Unfortunately this only confuses me more as there are several Apps on the App store with similar UIs.

The fact that other apps may be (in your mind) infringing rules as well, is never an argument to oppose review board. That's their business, not yours.

The only question you have to ask yourself: does it reasonably resemble to this other app (that's what the reviewer has concluded) and how to change this UI significantly.

Note: the fact that you mentioned the other app at the beginning in your meta data surely didn't help.

Good luck.

1

Answer 2

joshraker OP

Apr ’22

Thanks for the feedback!

The fact that other apps may be (in your mind) infringing rules as well, is never an argument to oppose review board. That's their business, not yours.

True, the fact that someone else appears to be breaking the rules is not grounds for others to do so. My intent was to show that others have succeeded in publishing apps with a similar UI so I was hoping I'd be able to as well and that someone with more experience with the App Review process may be able to help me see what I'm missing.

It may also be that my understanding of the guideline is flawed which seems probable given this is the first time I've submitted anything to the App Store. My understanding was that the app shouldn't:

Be a duplicate of an existing app. Mine does have some unique functionality to it so this part hasn't been called into question.
Deceive users by misrepresenting itself as another app.

I certainly understand how the combination of the UI and mentioning "Worde" in the description would raise concern. I was hoping that the fact that there are now hundreds apps with a similar UI would make removing any mention of "Wordle" enough to assuage concerns about this app being mistaken as Wordle but, if this is really all the reviewer considers

does it reasonably resemble to this other app (that's what the reviewer has concluded)

then I suppose it wouldn't be.

Do you have any other advice on how to address this issue or is changing the UI the only way?

0

Answer 3

Shadepit OP

Apr ’22

Their inconsistency is frustrating!

I've been experiencing the same issue with the App Review Team and App Review Board since April 1, 20222 but for 4.3.0 design spam.

The frustrating part is that my app has unique and high quality features yet they keep rejecting my app and approving the other competitive apps that were released after my app. The other apps are much simpler too.

For now, I've resorted to releasing updates to TestFlight and directing existing users and new users to the app's TestFlight link.

They've essentially killed my app; Hopefully you won't experience the same.

Please keep us updated.

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Answer 4

joshraker OP

Apr ’22

Sorry to hear that @Shadepit. I'm trying to meet them half way without compromising the gameplay experience too much but I'm running out of ideas. Here's my latest attempt:

Simulator Screen Shot - iPhone 13 Pro Max - 2022-04-20 at 20.45.14.png

If this one gets rejected I'll be filing another appeal.

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