EA to brick Tetris phone app

A popular, official Tetris app is going to get bricked. Users of Tetris Blitz fired up the game yesterday to be given a smarmy "it's time to say goodbye" message from the publisher.

Hello Fans,

We have had an amazing journey with you so far but sadly, it is time to say goodbye. As of April 21, 2020, EAs Tetris app will be retired, and will no longer be available to play. Kindly note that you will still be able to enjoy the game and use any existing in-game items until April 21, 2020. We hope you have gotten many hours of enjoyment out of this game and we appreciate your ongoing support. Thank you!

Gizmodo reports that it's unusual for a game to be actively bricked by its publisher, and a reminder that you own nothing.

There are thousands of games on the App Store that developers abandoned years ago, but most can still be played until they stop being compatible with the latest version of iOS. But come April 21, both of EAs Tetris games will simply stop working. Players are welcome to scream and shout about the decision on their online soapbox of choice. But buried deep in the games terms of service, EA has made it clear that the company only has to give notice 30 days before terminating one of its services.

It's not EA's fault, at least not directly: the Tetris Company has a new partner, and it appears EA's license for the game lapsed. Read the rest