Apple has rejected The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth from release on the App Store due to its reported depiction of violence and abuse towards children. This is according to Tyrone Rodriguez, the founder of Binding of Isaac publisher Nicalis. Rodgriguez, who is also a producer on the game, sent out the tweet you see below containing the rejection notice.
C’mon, wtf… Apple pic.twitter.com/aEygkjqH2b
— Tyrone Rodriguez (@tyronerodriguez) February 7, 2016
“Your app contains content or features that depict violence towards, or abuse of, children, which is not allowed on the App Store,” reads the rejection letter (via Eurogamer).
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a new version of 2011’s The Binding of Isaac, created by Super Meat Boy designer Edmund McMillen. Interestingly, an iOS version had not been officially announced before this, though McMillen said in a blog post that he was exploring the idea.
This isn’t the first time The Binding of Isaac, which is rated M, has been rejected for release. In 2012, McMillen said Nintendo blocked The Binding of Isaac from launching for the 3DS due to its “questionable religious content.” However, Nintendo apparently got past its issues and the game was released in 2014, uncensored, on Wii U and 3DS, as well as Xbox One.
Rebirth launched for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in 2014.
The Binding of Isaac sees players controlling a child who must escape the clutches of his mother, who is out to kill him after the voice of God commands a sacrifice. Some promotional images for the depict a curled up, crying child who appears to be suffering.
We’ll have more details on Rebirth’s App Store rejection and the steps Nicalis may take in response as they’re made available.