I think that's more of an Android problem. There is some piracy on iOS but it's no worse then PC or console games.
Even though I could care less for FTP every now and again a decent one drops that's balanced right etc I just downloaded the free to play uncharted game just to see what it's about although it won't last the day more than likely before I delete it off where as if this had been a real version of a premium uncharted game it would never leave my device.
Well... let's say the choice was up to YOU: A) develop a game that you're proud of... a gamer's game. But such a venture only makes you $20K a year, working 50 to 60 hours a week. B) Essentially "selling your soul", but raking in the dough that your financial future is set. I honestly can't say I blame devs if they had to opportunity to go with either and choice option B. For those of you upset about this, and are wondering why some devs are "selling out"... try making your own iOS game. Realize just how oversaturated the iOS AppStore on the gaming side is, and just how fierce the competition is. Some bloggers have described from personal experience, or through research that it's either akin or worse than earning minimum wage. Making a "good app" isn't a sufficient condition for success, but it sure is necessary.
I'm sure somebody crunched the numbers and realized that charging a one time fee of $7 won't work. $15 to $30? Perhaps that'll work, but they'll have so few takers that it won't work on account of too small of volume. People here on TA and in general are touting how great iOS gaming is and what a marvel it is. To the dismay of traditional PC and console gamers... it is. The PC and console gamers can wish with all their heart that iOS gaming die an awful death because "it's not real gaming", and a scourge to the video gaming industry. However, iOS gaming has managed to wedge its way into the vg industry and is here to stay. Well, the shoe has now moved on to another pair of feet. Now, a new 'generation' of gamers, or those who have adapted to the changing trends are touting the merits of freemium. To the dismay of "premium iOS gamers"... that's what this thread is about. But some of us do acknowledge that's how the market shifted. Us... the "premium goers" can wish with all our hearts that freemium dies an awful death because "it's not what iOS gaming was supposed to be about" and how it's a scourge of the industry. However, freemium iOS has managed to make its way into the industry, and is here to stay.
Freemium is basically an exploitative system. It targets, and I mean that in a nefarious sense, a similar population to casinos, betting shops and other gambling establishments - people with poor impulse control and an addictive personality (BTW, "addicting" is not an English adjective). As such is inherently immoral since it exploits vulnerable people - similar to although not as wicked as war profiteers or people selling, say, bottled water at higher prices following natural disasters.
Well, we should be blaming Apple then. It's THEIR app store. They have the power to stop all of this. However, since they get a 30% cut of all IAP (questionable or legit), they have very little incentive to stop the gray train. Some games are so stupidly hard, that I just gave up on them. I don't have time to practice hours and hours on end (spending over 15 to 20 hours a week), just to get through a zone. In traditional cases, I'd given up on the game long ago. The dev could've been better and balanced things out, but I won't particularly mind if I can just spend in-game currency that I got for free to get through a problem area. (In some cases, I'd be willing to throw some real $$ at the problem since as an adult, my time is far more valuable vs. a kid when I had all the time in the world) If this so offends you, then quit. Vote with your wallets. I've done this with plenty of games... both freemium like certain ones for iOS (although I've also quit some of them b/c they were just plain boring), and for "regular"/premium games... for iOS, consoles, and PC. My value as a gamer is when I sit down to play games, and I feel like I had fun. This varies from one person to another. As I've mentioned previous in this post (so just refer to that), I do NOT valuing sinking in a ridiculous # of hours just to memorize things and pass a level or series of them. This whole "the integrity of the game is in question" doesn't matter to me since it's just a game! I play them for entertainment. It's not some tournament setting.
This is why I come to TA... for discussions like these. I have a huge backlog of iOS games, so talking about typical iOS games holds little interest to me. I've always been fascinated by the business side of making and selling games on the app store. And if this were BGG, I'd definitely be tipping and thumbing this post! I still run into folks who believe that the whole "mobile gaming scene" is inherently wrong, and that everyone needs to push for more console, PC, and handheld games. Much like those folks are living in the past, those who push for freemium to go away are also living in the past. The gaming landscape has changed yet again.
I thought I was tired of this argument, but this is a great thread. My two cents is that yes, freemium is clearly the future of iOS gaming. However, I hope and strongly believe that it will not be the only sector. F2P will dominate the top grossing charts and new releases, but I suspect there will always be developers who cater to what is still a fairly lucrative hardcore premium crowd, even if they're only ports. A Steam developer will happily try to cash in on the HUGE iOS market with a port (or game developed in parallel) but they might not want to have completely redesign the game from scratch to incorporate pay-to-play mechanisms. Can't see Spiderweb Software going that route, anyway. I am very much in the premium camp, and yet still feel spoilt for choice on iOS. How big is your backlog? However, would I have picked up some simple games like PKTBALL or Looty Dungeon if they were £4/$5 each? Probably not - yet I love them both. So I can't really bitch about F2P killing iOS, because it's a market that's shown it can cater to multiple audiences. The weirdos who spam hundreds into Candy Crush; the old schoolers who want to pay up front for complete games; and the cash-poor, time-rich who just want to load up on free stuff. I really really hope the premium market doesn't die, but I don't think it will anyway. It will just become niche - but it's a pretty big niche. And thank f@#* someone has picked up on the use of addicting as an adjective. Irritates the hell out of me.
