Magic Toolbox gone from Apple App Store? - Page 2

nanoplasm · 08-05-2012, 01:23 AM

any word on an update release?

Ghrom · 08-05-2012, 02:49 AM

Nothing. Just get iMtG and Bob's your uncle.

VeiledAssassin · 08-05-2012, 05:45 AM

As much as I hate to say this, I don't own an iPad or the like (never felt a need to). Also, I run a Linux machine, but yet nothing has come out for it that is even remotely useful. Also, last I checked, Ghrom, weren't you sent a C&D letter yourself for iMTG? I recall an issue you brought up previously about such, but don't remember what happened.

Ghrom · 08-05-2012, 06:37 AM

We (almost all devs of decent iOS and Android MTG apps) were indeed sent such letters. Some of gave up, some of us kept fighting / negotiating. As a direct result of the letters we asked the community to let WotC we're not happy about it. Here's the original story: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=389490

This particular action may or may not have affected the fate of the official app. As far as I understand, the app itself was not really meant as a cash cow but rather a PR action, sort of 'we give you a nice mobile toolbox app' for (almost) free. Unfortunately for WotC the app itself turned to be not very good technically, and by coincidence or not the lawyers were sent after existing fan made apps, which was a really bad PR move as far as I'm concerned. There were a couple of updates to the app but rather than fixing it, these were seen as a move to reset the bad reviews. The very last update was so bad that it caused people who upgrade to lose their decks designed in the app. A few days after that update app was pulled from the store.

Fun fact, on my own forum I made April's Fool Day joke which 'predicted' it: http://imtgapp.com/forum/index.php?topic=3601.0

Please note that I'm totally biased and my comments should be read as such.

Going back to what happened with iMtG and others who decided to keep on, we had to change / cripple our apps. I shut down my server which was hosting card scans and switched iMtG to point at Gatherer images, removed all traces of cards from my app store screenshots, changed logo, removed expansion symbols, replaced mana symbols with mine, and so on. I also tried to negotiate with the lawyers / WotC but I was mostly ignored. I should probably see the lack of definitive response from them as a success because what I asked for is that they just let me be - I was arguing that iMtG is not hurting them in any way but rather helping the product - our beloved game.

Gangstah Mizzums · 08-05-2012, 01:37 PM

it is because wizards bought imtg.

VeiledAssassin · 08-05-2012, 11:58 PM

I vaguely recall such an incident, especially when WotC was getting ready to release their app. I just wanted to make sure that it was still okay, especially considering that I went to click on your link to the Apple App store and it's not there.

I wouldn't mind this being released for a Linux based machine (such as mine), but then again, us Linux users almost always get shut out of the fun stuff. LOL

Ghrom · 08-06-2012, 12:03 AM

Interesting, the link works just fine. Even on linux it should take you to the App Store page without problems.

I used to have linux on my desktop for just over 2 years, it was a fun ride but then I switched to Mac OS X and never looked back.

DYMongoose · 10-08-2012, 10:12 PM

Return to Ravnica boosters are shipping with info cards advertising MtG Toolbox, but it's still gone from the app store. Weird.

Ghrom · 10-09-2012, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DYMongoose

Return to Ravnica boosters are shipping with info cards advertising MtG Toolbox, but it's still gone from the app store. Weird.

Most probably it was printed before they pulled the plug on it. I can't complain, if you look in App Store for 'mtg toolbox' iMtG is what you find :P

trainwrecka · 11-30-2012, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghrom

Most probably it was printed before they pulled the plug on it. I can't complain, if you look in App Store for 'mtg toolbox' iMtG is what you find :P

Now that's marketing you can't buy!

I'm quite shocked this app went away. I still use it for score keeping, but on an iPhone 5 it could use a face lift.

Ghrom · 11-30-2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trainwrecka

Now that's marketing you can't buy!

Hehe, yes but somehow iMtG downloads went down considerably after RTR was printed... Correlation is not causation though

08-05-2012, 02:49 AM	#17
Ghrom Ascended Mage Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 180	Nothing. Just get iMtG and Bob's your uncle. __________________ iMtG - Probably the best MTG toolbox app for iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imtg/...8013?mt=8&ls=1
0

08-05-2012, 06:37 AM	#19
Ghrom Ascended Mage Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 180	We (almost all devs of decent iOS and Android MTG apps) were indeed sent such letters. Some of gave up, some of us kept fighting / negotiating. As a direct result of the letters we asked the community to let WotC we're not happy about it. Here's the original story: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=389490 This particular action may or may not have affected the fate of the official app. As far as I understand, the app itself was not really meant as a cash cow but rather a PR action, sort of 'we give you a nice mobile toolbox app' for (almost) free. Unfortunately for WotC the app itself turned to be not very good technically, and by coincidence or not the lawyers were sent after existing fan made apps, which was a really bad PR move as far as I'm concerned. There were a couple of updates to the app but rather than fixing it, these were seen as a move to reset the bad reviews. The very last update was so bad that it caused people who upgrade to lose their decks designed in the app. A few days after that update app was pulled from the store. Fun fact, on my own forum I made April's Fool Day joke which 'predicted' it: http://imtgapp.com/forum/index.php?topic=3601.0 Please note that I'm totally biased and my comments should be read as such. Going back to what happened with iMtG and others who decided to keep on, we had to change / cripple our apps. I shut down my server which was hosting card scans and switched iMtG to point at Gatherer images, removed all traces of cards from my app store screenshots, changed logo, removed expansion symbols, replaced mana symbols with mine, and so on. I also tried to negotiate with the lawyers / WotC but I was mostly ignored. I should probably see the lack of definitive response from them as a success because what I asked for is that they just let me be - I was arguing that iMtG is not hurting them in any way but rather helping the product - our beloved game. __________________ iMtG - Probably the best MTG toolbox app for iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imtg/...8013?mt=8&ls=1
0

08-06-2012, 12:03 AM	#22
Ghrom Ascended Mage Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 180	Interesting, the link works just fine. Even on linux it should take you to the App Store page without problems. I used to have linux on my desktop for just over 2 years, it was a fun ride but then I switched to Mac OS X and never looked back. __________________ iMtG - Probably the best MTG toolbox app for iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imtg/...8013?mt=8&ls=1
0

10-08-2012, 10:12 PM	#23
DYMongoose Ascended Mage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Southaven MS Posts: 215	Return to Ravnica boosters are shipping with info cards advertising MtG Toolbox, but it's still gone from the app store. Weird. __________________
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08-05-2012, 01:23 AM	#16
nanoplasm Experienced Mage Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 85	any word on an update release?
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08-05-2012, 05:45 AM	#18
VeiledAssassin Archmage Overlord Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 2,033	As much as I hate to say this, I don't own an iPad or the like (never felt a need to). Also, I run a Linux machine, but yet nothing has come out for it that is even remotely useful. Also, last I checked, Ghrom, weren't you sent a C&D letter yourself for iMTG? I recall an issue you brought up previously about such, but don't remember what happened.
0

08-05-2012, 11:58 PM	#21
VeiledAssassin Archmage Overlord Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 2,033	I vaguely recall such an incident, especially when WotC was getting ready to release their app. I just wanted to make sure that it was still okay, especially considering that I went to click on your link to the Apple App store and it's not there. I wouldn't mind this being released for a Linux based machine (such as mine), but then again, us Linux users almost always get shut out of the fun stuff. LOL
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