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The App Store reportedly looks a bit different in China today. According to Reuters, Apple has removed approximately 39,000 games owned by developers and publishers that do not have an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) from the Chinese government. Research by Qimai, a firm specializing in China, reportedly reveals that many Western titles were included in the purge, including Assassin’s Creed identity and NBA 2K20. According to Reuters, that leaves just 74 of the top 1,500 paid games. Some of the remaining free apps include Call of Duty: Mobile, Honor of kings and Game for peace, the Chinese version of PUBG Mobile.
Move-ins are not a big surprise. Apple launched a similar crackdown earlier this summer, removing 30,000 apps, most of which were games, according to Bloomberg – which were not approved by the National Press and Publications Administration (NPPA). It’s almost impossible to get an ISBN without a national publisher, which is why so many Western studios partner with another company before releasing their games in China.
