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Re: Apple Talks In-App Purchases, Game Devs Hear 'Cha-Ching'
Posted by: Walaika Haskins 2009-03-19 10:45:44
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This week, the gaming industry saw a challenger in the portable gaming market grow more powerful, and its name is iPhone. The platform's upcoming 3.0 software, which Apple previewed, includes new ways for game makers to make money, which may attract even more developers with even more serious offerings. In other reaches of the gaming universe, it looks like there's more cost-cutting going on at THQ; Nintendo intends to charge UK vendors more for the Wii, and the economic downturn could lead to longer lifecycles for current-generation gaming consoles.
I think the in-app buying process is absolutely great. The only thing I would have done differently is allow the in-app purchase process from a free app.
That would have given an even greater opportunity for the developers. They could have created a free game with 1 level, if customers liked it they could have bought other levels right from the free game. Now, they will have to go back to iTunes and buy the paid game and delete the free game from their iPhone. Those steps could have been avoided.
I don't agree with Apple that buying something inside a free application is confusing. Developers will continue using free versions of applications as they provide a good way to get people to try them.
That would have given an even greater opportunity for the developers. They could have created a free game with 1 level, if customers liked it they could have bought other levels right from the free game. Now, they will have to go back to iTunes and buy the paid game and delete the free game from their iPhone. Those steps could have been avoided.
I don't agree with Apple that buying something inside a free application is confusing. Developers will continue using free versions of applications as they provide a good way to get people to try them.
