Off the App Store: A Legacy of “Shattered Pixel Dungeon” and the Price of a Free Game

The world of mobile gaming is a volatile place, with games appearing and disappearing from digital storefronts with little to no warning. This is a common fate for older, un-updated games, but it has recently impacted a truly beloved title: Shattered Pixel Dungeon, a free roguelike that has built a cult following for its deep gameplay and consistent updates. The game has been removed from the iOS App Store, a move that highlights the ongoing struggle for developers to maintain free-to-play titles on a platform that often punishes them for it.

For those unfamiliar, Shattered Pixel Dungeon is a fork of the open-source game Pixel Dungeon. Developed by a dedicated solo developer named Evan, it took the original game’s simple-yet-addictive formula and refined it with better balance, new content, and a host of quality-of-life improvements. It is a game that is easy to pick up but brutally difficult to master, with a unique challenge every time you play.

The Reason Behind the Removal

While the developer has not released an official statement regarding the App Store removal, the reasons are likely tied to Apple’s strict policies for app submission and maintenance. Unlike the more open Android ecosystem, the iOS App Store requires developers to continuously update their apps to comply with the latest API versions and security protocols. For a free-to-play game that doesn’t generate a steady income, this can be a major hurdle. The original Pixel Dungeon was also removed from the App Store in the past for similar reasons.

The removal of Shattered Pixel Dungeon from the App Store is a major blow to a passionate fan base. The game’s success on Android and PC, where it is available for a one-time purchase, is a testament to its quality. However, the iOS version was a free, ad-free experience, a model that, unfortunately, is difficult to sustain in the long term. This incident serves as a stark reminder that even the most well-made and beloved free games can fall victim to the unforgiving nature of a curated digital storefront.

Where to Find the Game Now

For players who still want to experience this fantastic roguelike, it is far from gone. The game is still available on a variety of other platforms, where the developer continues to provide regular, substantial updates.

• Android: The game is still available for free on the Google Play Store and on F-Droid.
• PC: You can purchase the game on Steam, where it is actively maintained and updated.
• Mac and Linux: The game is also available for purchase on both Mac and Linux, offering a way for players to enjoy it on their computers.

For those who have it downloaded on their iOS device, the game will continue to work, but you won’t be able to reinstall it if you delete it. As for the developer, Evan, he is still actively working on the game, with a major update (v3.2.0) released on August 4, 2025, that adds new features and content. The future of Shattered Pixel Dungeon is still bright, but for iOS users, it’s a future that will likely remain off the App Store for the foreseeable future.