In a move that has sparked debate, Apple has decided to remove the narrative-driven game Wheels of Aurelia from the App Store, citing its failure to receive updates as the main reason. The visual novel, developed by the studio Santa Ragione, will be delisted in just a few days due to Apple’s policy of removing “outdated or obsolete” apps.
Apple iTunes Gift Card
Set in 1970s Italy, Wheels of Aurelia follows the story of Lella as she embarks on a road trip intertwined with political unrest and personal mysteries of the era. With each journey, new conversations and outcomes emerge, and players can experience up to 16 different endings. However, despite being fully functional and meeting all current technical standards, the game’s lack of updates has led to its removal from the App Store, scheduled for July 25, 2025.
The decision has not gone unchallenged. Santa Ragione recently issued a statement expressing their frustration over the lack of transparency regarding Apple’s actions. According to the developers, Wheels of Aurelia is still fully playable and adheres to the technical standards expected of apps. The issue, they argue, stems from the fact that no new updates have been released for the game recently.
The studio contends that this policy undermines the artistic value of indie games, especially those with a completed narrative like Wheels of Aurelia, which doesn’t require continuous updates to remain relevant. The developers liken the situation to the removal of a book simply because a new edition hasn’t been released. Moreover, they argue that such policies place undue pressure on small studios, forcing them into financial strain and resource allocation crises that affect their creative projects.
For fans who have yet to experience Wheels of Aurelia, now is the perfect time to download it for free, as it will be available on the App Store until its scheduled removal.
Key Points:
- Wheels of Aurelia will be removed from the App Store on July 25, 2025, due to lack of updates.
- The game is fully functional and meets all current technical standards, according to its developers.
- Santa Ragione has criticized Apple’s policy, arguing it undermines the artistic value of narrative-driven indie games.
- Users can still download from App Store the game for free until its removal.
Stay tuned to see how this controversy unfolds and whether it will lead to any changes in Apple’s app removal policies.
