LOL? Dio you really believe that? Look, we have a search function for the forums. Our members/devs on TA discussed this matter a dozen times. Maybe even more. Strange enough - some of them are saying the completely opposite. But because you are the only one speaking the truth... means, our devs must be wrong. Maybe you should go and get a good economics book, dear... Or read that: http://blog.cascadesoft.net/2009/12/14/pricing-strategies-how-to-price-an-iphone-app/ Maybe you learn a little bit from this guide about pricing strategies. Maybe because it makes no sense at all? Or some sense only you can understand? What you're dreaming about and the reality are two different pair of shoes. Following your advice would change the AppStore into the CrapStore... You know what? Before you start talking haughty - wake up, grow up and get a job. Maybe this teaches you the value of time, work and money.
Double ouch. Frankly, going to play the newer member card here again, search the threads, especially the dev threads and see how they struggle to make ends meet. I agree with another poster that said you slap every indie dev in the face when you say it doesn't cost much to make. Is their time not worth something? Are their ideas not worth something? This has been posted to death around here and usually it never comes to a good end. Why? Because there are people who understand how economics and profit margins work and there are people who are out there to get free or dirt cheap apps. I was always taught you get what you pay for and having had full fledged consoles that you have to go to the store and purchase 30 - 60 dollar games (depending on your device) even a 15 dollar app to me is a bargain. The app store mentality has turned into an entitled way of thinking. It started off fine, then price gouging occurred and everyone had to drop their prices to even compete. Just because a game is 99 cents though is not going to guarantee double the sales as a GOOD 1.99 game and we could continue up the ladder there. Why do you think there are some devs contemplating leaving the app market? Because it just is not profitable. Developers are not iphone users' pawns for providing their own personal entertainment and enjoyment. They are here to make a buck too. I personally hope they do not cave in to the overwhelming sentiment that has spread amongst only this group of consumers (you don't see people swarming department stores demanding sales or price drops or anywhere else for that matter). But because the developers are accessible that gives people the idea that they should be able to complain and whine. Go ahead Cassie Cupcake and make your apps and don't price them over 1.99. Do a P & L Statement and see how that works for you. Don't forget all the time you will spend justifying that 1.99 though since the first question people are going to ask you is - when will it be free? The second - can you do a sale? I hope you don't feel devalued or slapped in the face when that happens. Edit: I am also going to laugh at your arguments even harder after seeing what games you are playing right now. What is the price of most of these: Currently playing: Final Fantasy, Grand Theft Auto: China Town Wars, Labyrinth 2, Pool Pro Online, Quizarium, Real Racing, We Rule, Words With Friends.
Thanks for your explanations, NEG. There is another thing you 99cent-people should always be aware of: No app falls from heaven. A dev might have the following expenses (I'm staying low): 2000$ for equipment (Macbook, printer, software, license and everything else), 3000$ for advertising his game, 2000$ for the guys who made the graphics and music, 1000$ for various other expenses. Total: 8000$ Ok - you know what that means, after Apple pulled their 30% share from the devs earnings? That means that this dev has to sell at least 10.506 copies of his game just to get his expenses in.
Those are indeed low estimates Vovin. Knowing how a business similar to that works, the price of your product also has to include money toward the future replacement of each piece of equipment - since nothing lasts forever. And of course it being income tax time here in the US don't forget your Federal and State Self Employment taxes. They are quite high - roughly 50% - though deductions do apply for equipment in the year you purchase it. Bottom line - it is complicated to run a business, I hope that developers hold their ground on the ipad apps and do not cave like the original apps did when the app store first opened. No one even blinked an eye back then to pay 5-10 dollars for an app. Now we hear all kinds of whining and complaining! Second bottom line - no one is forcing you to buy them.
I was actually replying to Vovin when i said that.. I know he wasnt talking to me, but still..that kinda stung :/
Oops sorry - thought you had a good comeback for his answer. Because frankly unless you have been there and tried to make a business work and personally experienced the hardship and aggravation etc that goes into it, you can't complain about how much things cost. I didn't realize that you were remarking different. So don't take my answer personally ok? Was just going with the thread.
I am sure you got me wrong, Ranko. Well, nothing is wrong with buying and liking .99$ apps. And there was no offense toward other persons intended. I am working for over 20 years now... in a job with fair payment - but nonetheless, this job is hard. Very hard, sometimes. But that was my way to learn the value of work compared to money. In real life, as a normal citizen, you get nearly nothing for free. Just imagine someone doing a hard job with minimum payment. Eventually he will quit this job... because he recognizes that the value of his work doesn't meet the value of his payment. This might be the reason why a lot of devs already quitted designing apps for the iPhone/iPod.
