“Backrooms: Escape” Removed for Alleged Copycat Months After Release (Guideline 4.1) – Advice Needed

Question

ToddUlm OP

Created 3w

Replies 3

Boosts 0

Participants 2

Hello everyone,

We initially published our game, Backrooms: Escape, on the App Store on October 15, 2024, and have since released 152 builds with updates. In total, our team has spent over a year working on this project.

However, we recently received a notification from the App Review Team stating that our app violates Guideline 4.1 (Copycats). The explanation we received was that we use “Backrooms” as a theme.

We are the legitimate rights holders of this project, which we can easily prove through both our development timeline and legal documentation. After multiple attempts to clarify the issue, the only feedback we got was that “using Backrooms” is the problem. Yet, there are well over a hundred other “Backrooms” apps currently on the App Store. Here are ten examples:

As noted here, the Backrooms lore is widely recognized as internet folklore and therefore does not infringe on any existing copyright. Moreover, our game itself is unique in both its mechanics and its implementation, making it fundamentally different from other Backrooms-themed titles.

We strongly believe this removal was made in error, especially since it occurred several months after our initial release. We also tried appealing but still haven’t received any response.

What else can we do to save the game?

Thank you in advance

Boost

Answer 1

App Review OP

Apple

3w

Thank you for your post and appeal. We're investigating and will contact you in App Store Connect to provide further assistance. If you continue to experience issues during review, please contact us.

0

Answer 2

ToddUlm OP

2w

Hello everyone,

The original post here helped us understand Apple’s position on the Guideline 4.1 (Copycats) violation. It was explained that Apple sees similarities between our app and the Steam project called “Backrooms: Escape Together.” This was extremely surprising to us, as they are fundamentally different games.

Here are the main points for comparison:

Game Genre & Mechanics
- Backrooms: Escape Together is a cooperative survival-horror with AI-driven enemies, puzzles, and stealth elements.
- Our project is a single-player parkour runner focused on fast-paced obstacle avoidance and high-speed gameplay, without puzzle-solving or AI-controlled monsters.
Visual Style & Atmosphere
- Backrooms: Escape Together employs a realistic, horror-centric aesthetic.
- Our project features a stylized, action-oriented look, aimed at quick and dynamic play sessions.
Platforms & Audience
- Backrooms: Escape Together is oriented toward PC gamers who enjoy cooperative horror experiences.
- Our project targets mobile users seeking short, casual, runner-style gameplay.

We’ve tried to eliminate any potential similarities, as we value our project’s uniqueness. However, our update was not accepted, and we received no further clarifications. We are 100% sure these are entirely different games. Please check them manually — it will be obvious once you compare them yourself.

Has anyone else encountered a similar situation? How did you resolve it?

PLEASE HELP US UNDERSTAND.

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Answer 3

ToddUlm OP

1d

After multiple discussions with the Apple team via review threads, appeals, and calls, we have received further clarification regarding the issue.

Recently, we updated the app and addressed all identified concerns, including character designs, app name, screenshots, icons, and interface elements. Additionally, we completely redesigned and recolored our assets, ensuring there are no remaining similarities with Backrooms Escape Together (the game we were previously linked with). To reiterate, these are fundamentally different games, and at this point, they share no common elements.

Despite these efforts, our app was still rejected.

We are deeply frustrated and uncertain about what further actions we need to take. As of today, we have not received clear guidance on the specific reasons behind the rejection.

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