> The company did, however, update the official Monster Strike page with a message that indicates Apple saw problems with a serial code input form inside the app and asked to remove it.
So, there's a security problem and Apple asked the company to remove it.
Apple didn't automatically remove it and stay quiet. So, the acceptable way.
The serial code input is probably to input prepaid game card codes, for people who buy them offline. Many kids who don't have access to credit cards use them, as they can buy them with their allowance money.
An app i made got rejected for the exact same reason. Whatever money you make from the app, if apple doesn't get a cut from it, you're probably going to have issues (with ads for free apps being the notable exception).
At least it's reassuring that no matter how big you are, the (stupid) rules are the same.
This is very explicitly not allowed for iOS applications. To quote the App Store review guidelines:
11.1. Apps that unlock or enable additional features or functionality
with mechanisms other than the App Store will be rejected
11.2. Apps utilizing a system other than the In-App Purchase API (IAP)
to purchase content, functionality, or services in an App will be
rejected
And nothing of value was lost. Yes, some people may have had fun with it, but primarily so because they have no experience to compare it with non-exploitative games, and because mobile F2P games are designed to exploit the sunk costs weakness in the human brain.
I long for the future where this is designated as the malware it is.
So, there's a security problem and Apple asked the company to remove it.
Apple didn't automatically remove it and stay quiet. So, the acceptable way.