Santa Ragione, an indie studio known for titles like Saturnalia and Mediterranea Inferno, has spoken out against Apple for plans to remove its game Wheels of Aurelia from the App Store on July 25, citing a lack of clear justification. Co-founder Pietro Righi Riva expressed frustration over Apple’s vague reasoning, which claims the game is deemed “obsolete” but contradicts its ongoing functionality and compliance with technical standards. Riva argued that such actions impose unnecessary financial burdens on developers and threaten the artistic value of games as cultural works. Santa Ragione is offering Wheels of Aurelia for free until delisting to allow more players to experience the game.

Wheels of Aurelia is set for removal due to Apple's claims of obsolescence without clear justification, despite the game's functionality being intact. The studio has not received satisfactory explanations for this decision following multiple appeals.

Wheels of Aurelia is a narrative-driven visual novel set during the vibrant 1970s in Italy, exploring themes of travel and the complexities of journeying through life's roads, both literally and metaphorically. This game has been recognized for its unique storytelling approach and artistic direction, making its removal particularly concerning for fans and advocates of indie gaming.