Slash Lane
First launched in the App Store since 2008 with a $4.99 price tag, the "Texas Hold'em" game developed by Apple is no longer available. Its removal was first noticed on Thursday by MacRumors.
Though "Texas Hold'em" was the only game Apple released for the iPhone, it was not the first title the company released for its portable devices. In fact, the poker game was first launched in 2006 for the iPod classic, and utilized the device's click wheel.
Apple stopped selling its iPod click wheel games earlier this year, in a similar move where the content was quietly removed from the iTunes Store.
Over the years there were signs that Apple was interested in creating more original games for the iOS App Store. In 2009, AppleInsider discovered that the company was looking to hire a first-class game developer to work at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.
And in August of 2010, one rumor claimed that Apple was close to acquiring a Chinese mobile Internet service provider and game developer for $148 million. However, there was never any actual indication that Apple purchased, or even considered buying, Handseeing Information Technology Co.
Instead of developing its own games, Apple has chosen to concentrate on its iOS ecosystem and the App Store where third-party developers can make their own blockbuster titles, like "Angry Birds," "Plants vs. Zombies," and "Flight Control." Apple has supported its developers with Game Center, a social networking service that lets users track their friends' progress in titles and even play games against each other head-to-head online.
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Mike Wuerthele
Andrew Orr
Andrew O'Hara
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28 Comments
It's the only Apple app I never had nor had any desire to get.
It really only existed as a "Hey, this is a game you can play while everyone else builds apps," thing, anyway.
You didn't know? Apple used private APIs. Shame shame shame. That's a no no.
Poker games are useless on all iPhones and iPads.
I see some free poker games for the iPad on the app store, but some of them are pay to play. Who the hell is going to pay money to play a poker game where you can't win any money?
When poker becomes legal, and the retards in the US govt quit shutting down poker sites, I want to see real poker games available for iOS devices, where I can play real poker for real money. Screw the fake poker games with play chips.
If I bet $100, it needs to be a real $100 on the line, not some play chip crap.
You didn't know? Apple used private APIs. Shame shame shame. That's a no no.
Apple can use private APIs. Why do you think private APIs exist?
Poker games are useless on all iPhones and iPads.
I see some free poker games for the iPad on the app store, but some of them are pay to play. Who the hell is going to pay money to play a poker game where you can't win any money?
When poker becomes legal, and the retards in the US govt quit shutting down poker sites, I want to see real poker games available for iOS devices, where I can play real poker for real money. Screw the fake poker games with play chips.
If I bet $100, it needs to be a real $100 on the line, not some play chip crap.
That's how I feel about most games. If I can't grow real zombies on my farm or launch real birds into real pigs or win real money playing Scrabble, what's the damn point!?