If you read the paragraph that Daerax posted carefully, it may actually be allowed to have interpreted code, just not downloading it from somewhere.

Quote:
3.3.2 — An Application may not itself install or launch other executable code by any means, including without limitation through the use of a plug-in architecture, calling other frameworks, other APIs or otherwise. No interpreted code may be downloaded and used in an Application except for code that is interpreted and run by Apple’s Published APIs and built-in interpreter(s).

This makes sense because Apple wants to protect their platform, both to avoid poor quality programs that would degrade the reputation of the iPhone and to try to minimize backdoors for hackers. They probably want to prevent others from profiting on downloadable contents as well.

If you link the script codes within the binary itself I think you should be safe. The VM could be thought of just a generalized component of your ordinary gameloop.

Anyway, when in doubt it is always best to ask Apple itself. I'm sure they'll clear things up for you.

I believe that the clause is there so that people can't bypass going through the appstore to get a new program/game/whatever. If your app was actually a game engine, and the whole game was contained as external data files, then a new game could be created simply by changing the scripts, making Apple loose revenue as you'd only need to buy the "engine" once and then the actual games could come from elsewhere. As is the case with the rejected C64 emulator (http://toucharcade.com/2009/06/20/full-commodore-64-emulator-rejected-from-app-store/)

However from the comments, several people point out that SEGA have released a couple of games with the game ROM prebaked into the executable on the AppStore.

So it seems to me that prebaking your scripts into the executable itself makes them part of that specific app and thus Apple have nothing against that, as the app cannot be extended to accomplish more things after its creation (ie the comment about not allowing plugins etc).

I could be wrong though and Apple and Sega might have a special deal.

Quote: Original post by WitchLord
If you link the script codes within the binary itself I think you should be safe. The VM could be thought of just a generalized component of your ordinary gameloop.

That does seem a sensible interpretation.

Quote: Anyway, when in doubt it is always best to ask Apple itself. I'm sure they'll clear things up for you.

I contacted Apple for clarification, but we will see when/if they get back to me [smile]