Sexy scream leads to Saudi game app ban

Sexy scream leads to Saudi game app ban

What does a sexy scream sound like? If you’re not sure, then download the Shoe Wars app. According to Saudi authorities, the screams there are pretty sexy.

March 26, 2012 3:50 by Precious de Leon

What exactly is a sexy scream? Can you picture the sexiest noise you can think of? Now that you have that particular scream in your head, check out this supposedly sexy scream ‘jumping off’ sound effect from the iPhone app Shoe Wars and see if it’s the one you had in mind.

So what do you think?

If you thought the game’s female character had a jumping sound effect and a scream that was a tad too lascivious, then you are in the same boat as Saudi authorities who have banned the game app from Apple’s Saudi app store.

A short statement is available on the Shoe Wars website:

We can confirm that the game has been withdrawn from sale in Saudi Arabia. This decision was made following feedback that the female character’s jumping sound effect was considered “too sexual” and may cause cultural offence. A modified version of the app will be available in S.A., in April without this objectionable content.

Kipp finds the game less than amusing, really. So it’s hard to imagine how exciting the game will be without the ‘sound effect in question’.

What do you think would be an appropriate replacement for the ‘sexy’ jumping sound effect? Leave suggestions in the comments section below or on our Facebook page or Twitter (@Kipp_Report) or just email it at editor@kippreport.com.

It’s interesting that this jumping sound would create such a fuss in the Kingdom, especially considering that according to an October 2011 study, Saudi’s Apple store had ‘Sexy Stories’ in its Books category as one of the top 5 Saudi iPhone apps. So is it just the sound that they object to, then?

Here’s a link to that social media report, which was originally published in the October 2011 issue Communicate.