The IAP/Freemium Thread

[One Side Software]

I'm glad to see Apple is taking a step toward labeling freemium games as such. It'd be nice if they could go into more detail (unlock content vs. pay to win vs. "energy boost" etc), but it is a good first step.

[Vovin]

Lots of critical comments were removed from the DH4 thread?

[Lost_Deputy]

Originally Posted by Vovin

Lots of critical comments were removed from the DH4 thread?

Nothing too major in here. There is that Alt DD4 Thread for people after a cheaper version of the genre though...

[SimianSquared]

How do you guys feel about:

- set price of .99c
- various tiers of iAP to:

1. expand on content, ie new level packs (providing the .99c covered enough game for the money)

2. optional bonus content like fun non game breaking items/alt play modes and such?

- pretty much similar to how street fighter 4 on xbox works - you just pay for more characters, customisation and such to extend the life of the title you have already paid for and enjoyed.

This would be to offset the fact .99c is actually lowballing and a net loss for the title. Of course this extra content will not result in having "half an app" or any pay walls. You can still complete what you've got and additional content is optional for those who love it so much they just want more. And more means we have to make more and get paid for that.

I don't like freemium at all (iAP only) because of the insane amount of bot farming that is (still!) going on. It's impossible to get anywhere with free at this point without paying a bot farm provider (and they're getting very good at hiding their tracks).

You would be mortified at how many actually-good apps used bot farms to get a higher free app rank. These are actually good apps or very well known apps at times. I think they choose to employ farms because they have no choice in freemium if every one else does it. Sad.

Thoughts?

Note: This is in regards to Simian Squared future titles, not TOB.

[JBRUU]

Originally Posted by SimianSquared

How do you guys feel about:

- set price of .99c
- various tiers of iAP to:

1. expand on content, ie new level packs (providing the .99c covered enough game for the money)

2. optional bonus content like fun non game breaking items/alt play modes and such?

This would be to offset the fact .99c is actually lowballing and a net loss for the title. Of course this extra content will not result in having "half an app" or any pay walls. You can still complete what you've got and additional content is optional for those who love it so much they just want more. And more means we have to make more and get paid for that.

I don't like freemium at all (iAP only) because of the insane amount of bot farming that is (still!) going on. It's impossible to get anywhere with free at this point without paying a bot farm provider (and they're getting very good at hiding their tracks). This is in regards to future titles, not TOB.

You would be mortified at how many actually-good apps used bot farms to get a higher free app rank. These are actually good apps or very well known apps at times. I think they choose to employ farms because they have no choice in freemium if every one else does it. Sad.

Thoughts?

I don't mind IAP for new content like that at all, but if a $6.99 price point totally obsolete?

[SimianSquared]

6.99 very tough without a dedicated marketing campaign/exposure. Simian's position is to "always make console titles" - ie high production values, tonnes of art and so on - but it's very hard with a lot of luck to just throw it out there at that price without a big name behind you.

[kioshi]

Simian, I don't remember anyone complaining about Galaxy on Fire 2's new campaign (paid) or the new p,arable characters in Heroes and Castles, or even the aesthetic outfits in Lili so as long as it's not consumable or needed (paywall and stuff) it's fine by me.