Hello,
I was wondering if it is allowed to mention other similar games in a game description. Something like:
“When you like puzzle games like 2048 or Block Puzzle, then this is a game for you”.
Do you think that would be compliant to google Play policy or not?
Thanks
When in doubt, don’t do that.
Why do you keep asking the same questions 1st it was Lego now its this. Go ahead and do it already. You keep asking the same question different ways hoping someone says yes. Ok yes go ahead and do it , its fine.
I see lots of developers do this, but that doesn’t mean it’s ok. I believe Google can suspend your app for keyword stuffing. A lot of people get away with it, question is will YOU, and do you want to risk it.
I do that in some of my games (those that are inspired by old classics - hard to advertise them without mentioning those classic games). Never had any problems caused by this. Google mentions that method in some policy explanation as “better than list of keywords but not advisable” or something like that, read all google advices and decide for youself. As long as you take care (make sure the games you mention really are similar/inspiration, avoid those that are known to be used by spammers - 2048 is one of them - or words that are trademarks - like Lego and use no more than two of them and not in a list but in a relevant sentence) - you SHOULD be OK, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Google detected that and lowered your ranking.
Oke thanks for your answers 
@Pixelpower, this is the second time you accuse me of doing that. The first time you didn’t react to my response in this topic http://forums.makingmoneywithandroid.com/marketing-methods/13791-lego-name-game-title-2.html
Obviously you didn’t read my reaction in that topic, otherwise you wouldn’t have brought up the rediculous: “hoping someone says yes” statement 
Where the first question was about a trademark, this question is not. And for the second time, I don’t want to hear someone say yes. A year ago I published a game, not knowing how all the stuff works, I mentioned another similar game in my description. Know that it is getting more seriously and I’m making money from it, I want to know if I have to change my game description.
You should read more carefully and not underestimate people, I don’t want to hear “yes”, I want to keep my google account. On the other hand I don’t live by every letter of the law, like that little rat advocate who brought down the Flow titled games, with 19th centuries laws. Probably he would give in a couple of Jews for a nice penny if the law would change that direction.
celaeno you already know the answer to your question. Of course its not within law to use other game names within your description. Even if you weren’t a game developer you would know that they taught basic copywrite law in highschool social studies class.
This is the 2nd time you did it and the 3rd thread you opened up for it. Its a risk but go ahead and take it already instead of asking the same type of question over and over. Plenty of developers do it , if thats what your asking. Plenty of developers get away with stuff everyday and some get caught. There is no foolproof way, no magic either you do it or you don’t.
Those guys who patent FLOW are a$$wholes and I can’t believe they got away with patenting a word. System sucks because you can pay off anyone, judge got paid off big time for sure. There is no way you can patent words only buisness names and such.
This is not compliant with the Google Play policy since you don’t have the intellectual rights. You could read that up if you’d like. Using some popular and generic words is fine, but if you specifically mention a popular game you are asking for trouble.
I don’t think you are right SocioSoft. If you were, mentioning that I drink Coca Cola but like Pepsi too could get me sued by both companies.
From this page: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/2986098?hl=en
“Don’t describe your app using another company’s trademarks in a way that implies an endorsement by or affiliation with the other company.” - as you can see you can’t say “This game is a remake of Angry Birds” but saying “This game is inspired by Angry Birds” should be fine (as long as it is not completely unrelated game as by the rule mentioned by shulwo below).
I can’t find it right now but one of the policies was showing an example of a description having a sentence that the game is “similar/inspired” by two others as an example of something not perfect, but better than listing keywords.
It is nothing related with copyright, but keyword spam. You guys should read this instead: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/2985717
See unrelated keywords or references - “For example, if your app has nothing to do with Lady Gaga, then she shouldn’t be included in your description.”
So, if you think your app related with Angry Birds, Flow, 2048 etc, go ahead. IMO, no matter inspired/similar, it is unrelated at all.
I see what you guys are saying google claims it allows you to use the words like “inspired by doodle jump” but if the owner of doodle jump complains trust me google will ban your app and put a strike against your account . What Google says is one thing but what Google does is another thing. Come on we all know that !!
Here is what I was talking about:
“Intellectual Property: Don’t infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, (including patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, and other proprietary rights), or encourage or induce infringement of intellectual property rights. We will respond to clear notices of alleged copyright infringement. For more information or to file a DMCA request, please visit our copyright procedures.”
Link:
https://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html
2048 is probably not a trademark, but one could argue that it infringes on their intellectual property rights.
But it’s not used in a name of the app, it is used in description as inspiration - just as if you wrote “I wrote this game drinking a lot of Coca Cola” - would that be infringing on Coca Cola intellectual property rights? I agree that you might get your app suspended - because Google doesn’t check the DCMA requests - but I don’t agree that it would be against the law. And as you said 2048 is not even a trademark.
I known enough developers over time to know what Google says and does is 2 different things. If a big company says your infringing on their copywrite , Google will side with them no matter what they put in their guidelines. Google does not manually check but will respond if someone reports it or their bots pick it up.
I don’t think it would be against the law either, but I do think it will be against GP policies. Either way, I wouldn’t risk it.
I used flappy bird in one of my games description. Didnt have any pronlems
Just because you have not been spotted doesn’t mean it is okay to do it though.
That’s because flappy bird is not a trademark, while Mickey Mouse, Temple Run etc. are trademarked.
If flappybird owner complained , then Google would take you down quick. Being lucky that you don’t get spotted isnt something you can count on.