My groups game which was recently put on the marketplace is now no where to be found just 2 days later.

What gives?

Its either a bug - though usually that affects multiple games and right now nobody else has complained.
 
Or the game has been pulled for one of several reasons on the report abuse page (e.g. like this http://creators.xna.com/en-US/reportabuse.aspx?id=c4b96190-a49a-4a34-ba48-4534e24c0825&type=1&ctype=2). If its been pulled you should get an email explaining why - check the email associated with the creators club account and your junk mail folders.

Otherwise email creators@microsoft.com and ask.

Thanks for the quick reply ZMan.  I don't know which would be worse, a bug or removal...

I haven't received any emails regarding this.  I'll send an email and ask. 

Does this happen a lot? if so, what was the resolution in the past?

Bugs are usually fixed in a couple of days once reported. Removal would require you to fix the issues reported and resubmit. If Microsoft investigate the complaint and find it without merit then the game is put back on to marketplace. I don't know how often removal happens, I only know of a couple but its hard to keep track and some developer have pulled their own games so you really can't tell why something goes missing.

A representative responded to the email I sent.  He said the game was being investigated for potential IP infringement.  He did not say what exactly was infringing about the game.  Was it a song, a graphic, or the gameplay?  I would assume this has something to do with gameplay because currently EA owns the rights to the original Tetris, but to my knowledge the "look and feel" of a game was unable to by copyrighted.  We had fellow classmates create our graphics and music who were credited in the credits, so I am confused as to what is causing this.

I'll keep this thread up to date on what happens.  As I wouldn't want this to happen to any other creators in the future.

ZMan, you may or may not know this.  Since  our game was removed, if Microsoft does re-list it.  Does it get put back on the new arrivals list?  Or if they do find something and we need to change the game.  Does the game ever get put back on new arrivals?

Thanks

GIGGITYGIGG1TY:

Does it get put back on the new arrivals list?  Or if they do find something and we need to change the game.  Does the game ever get put back on new arrivals?

Sorry, but no. Microsoft can't put the game in the New Arrivals list.

I'm not 100% sure on the relisting rules but AFAIK a game is on the new releases based on its original release date and no other date. So if it reappears and there's not been enough new games to bump it off them it will be on there. If its been too long then you won't be on the list. Thats how it works when developers have pulled their own games.

As for IP issues, is Microsoft get a complaint by an IP owner they are obliged to investigate and their policy is to pull the game while that happens - its no different to what YuoTube etc do during an investigation. Remeber Microsoft are just a distributor for these apps. Its your responsibility to ensure you are legal and its your resonsibility too if the s*** hits the fan if you have crossed a line.

Its well known that the Tetris company are very protective http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22815 so you could have opened a can of worms.

NOTE: Thats an article by a lawyer not my personal opinion on right and wrong.... debates on the copyright laws in this thread is going to get it locked, very very quickly so I recommend everyone avoids that....

You aren't the first creator to have this done for the exact same reason from the exact same people.  Another block stacking game does remain on the service though, probably due to the fact that it uses some non-standard blocks.  The whole situation is lame at best.

Matt Sams:

You aren't the first creator to have this done for the exact same reason from the exact same people.  

Who else has it happened to?

Matt Sams:

probably due to the fact that it uses some non-standard blocks

That is interesting considering our game has non-standard blocks when you progress further.  The game starts simple with more traditional blocks.  As the game builds speed and difficulty new blocks are thrown into the mix....  I guess if this is the difference of being removed or not the person claiming infringement didn't play the game that long.

I think more than anything I am upset not for being pulled, but not being informed about what is actually the problem.  Our group is not trying to infringe on any IPs.  This was a class project where our professors encouraged us to try and get it published.... and now this.   Oh well.  If the Tetris company is that threatened by our tiny community game, I'll let them win this round.  We don't have the money or the time to fight them.  We were hoping at best to make back our initial investment on the game and thats it....

The ZMan:

Matt Sams:

You aren't the first creator to have this done for the exact same reason from the exact same people.  

Who else has it happened to?

Matt Sams:

I want to be careful about speaking for him, but it involved stacking cubes in a particular manner.

It would be helpful to speak with him/her to find out what he/she went through.  It would also benefit future creators to know what could happen at least in the case of stacking or falling cubes.

Conjecture on why this happened shouldn't be discussed on the forums