Gaming Apps: In-app purchase vs paying up front

Posted May 22, 2012 at 11:09 pm in Threads > Opinions

Which do you prefer?: paying $5 or $10 for a complete game outright with all the levels, weapons, etc…. or Free app that you have to pay to get more levels/features.

16 Comments Join the discussion!

46 nportelli 05/23/12 7:26 AM

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I prefer buying up front, but I find I try more games when they are free with the in app upgrade features. I find I would buy in game upgrades, if they were not so damned expensive. I mean do I want to pay 50 gems for an expanded item bag? Sure, how much is 50 gems, $25!!!?? Ha no thanks.

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- 70 Jedediah Sweetser 05/24/12 5:27 PM
  
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  I like up fronts, makes it easier in the long run. I’m always wary of in app purchases becuase on a few games, after wiping my phone and re-installing or moving to another ROM, even when I reload my Apps+Data, sometimes the app doesn’t remember my purchases and i’m back to square one and out a few dollars.
  
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97 SGB101 05/23/12 8:07 AM

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I won’t install games with in app purchases as my 3 year old would skint me.

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99 jaxidian 05/23/12 12:21 PM

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I absolutely HATE in-app purchases! I want premium games to give me a free level or two and have me go buy the game (up-front) to continue playing. This way I can try it before I buy it and I don’t have to worry about them screwing me over with hidden fees (this is why I hate them so much – they’re very often hidden).

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- 97 SGB101 05/23/12 1:56 PM
  
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  Plus a 100, totally agree, I get free apps, if I use them more than a few days il opt oft the pro version.
  
  U should earn our money, not try and milk us.
  
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- 97 kazahani 05/24/12 9:57 AM
  
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  That’s the best solution for us users, but there are a lot of games out there that don’t offer a free version, and with a 15-minute refund window, there is no opportunity to really try before you buy.
  
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  - 97 SGB101 05/25/12 2:15 PM
    
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    Don’t mean it’s right tho, give us the first level and let us decide!
    
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11 Jiltedae 05/23/12 6:32 PM

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I prefer to pay upfront. Saying a game is free while in app purchases are required to progress through the game seems a little disingenuous to me. Granted, playing up until a purchase is required gives you a good idea if you’d be willing to pay for the game or not.

I just prefer to know how much a game is going to cost me before I start playing.

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- 97 kazahani 05/24/12 9:59 AM
  
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  I definitely agree that Freemium apps should disclose that fact up front.
  
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HimmatGuest 05/24/12 7:42 AM

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There are 2 types of in-app purchases for games:

1) Consumables (i.e. gems, healthpacks, ammo what-not)
2) Full game unlock

I absolutely hate the first option, especially in games we already pay $6.99 for!! The second option can make sense, because it helps combat piracy. I would openly support the second option on one condition – it has to be transferable across multiple devices under the same Google account. At the moment, not all full-game unlocks are transferable across devices, so you got to be careful there.

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- 97 kazahani 05/24/12 10:00 AM
  
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  ^ THIS.
  
  I would also add that they should disclose that the game is a paid title before you download and install.
  
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  - HimmatGuest 05/24/12 10:29 AM
    
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    Agree. Google could either do something like iOS, where it shows the top in-app purchases. From here we can know whether there are in-app purchases or not, and the nature of it.
    
    Or Google could put a blue indicator for full game unlock in-app purchase or orange for consumables in the title of the game.
    
    Or Google should make it a point for devs to disclose this in the description.
    
    The worst thing is, especially for a full-unlock, the price is never stated anywhere, including in the description.
    
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95 thekaz 05/24/12 8:45 AM

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Pay up front. My fear with in-app purchases is that I will get to a point where I am addicted to the game and won’t be able to STOP buying stuff in-app. Being a competitive person, I try to stay away from anything addicting that costs money.

That being said, I still go to my once-a-month poker game :-/

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- 97 kazahani 05/24/12 10:01 AM
  
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  Your fears are not unfounded. This is Zynga’s entire business model.
  
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70 CJ LaFleur 05/26/12 5:44 PM

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In app purchases are usually the only way to get anywhere in freemiums. I’d rather the apps be paid cuz I can just sideload.

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8 acostaisasmendi 05/27/12 10:24 AM

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I totally loathe in-app purchases.

I’d rather pay for the full app once than pay every effen level :/

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Gaming Apps: In-app purchase vs paying up front