Apple to Open $19.99 Premium Games Section in App Store?
PocketGamer.biz reports that Apple is planning on introducing a dedicated section in the iTunes App Store for premium games priced at $19.99.
The move may help Apple combat the natural trend towards low priced Apps, and would also indicate that Apple may be listening to long-running developer complaints that the Top 100 lists tend to reward cheaper but higher volume apps.
Being able to sustain higher priced apps in the App Store is, of course, in Apple's best interest. This is not the first time Apple has tried to promote these premium apps. In November, Apple invited select app developers to a press event highlighting many $9.99 apps and games. While several high profile have been introduced at the $9.99 price point, many have quickly seen price drops in the highly competitive App Store market.
Games are the most popular type of app the iTunes App Store making up almost 25% of all titles. TouchArcade.com covers the growing market of iPhone games.
However, the initiative will only be open to a restricted number of large publishers, rather than the thousands of smaller developers currently selling their titles on the main App Store.
PocketGamer's sources had no details on when this might happen, although Apple's WWDC conference in June was suggested as a possible launch venue.The move may help Apple combat the natural trend towards low priced Apps, and would also indicate that Apple may be listening to long-running developer complaints that the Top 100 lists tend to reward cheaper but higher volume apps.
Being able to sustain higher priced apps in the App Store is, of course, in Apple's best interest. This is not the first time Apple has tried to promote these premium apps. In November, Apple invited select app developers to a press event highlighting many $9.99 apps and games. While several high profile have been introduced at the $9.99 price point, many have quickly seen price drops in the highly competitive App Store market.
Games are the most popular type of app the iTunes App Store making up almost 25% of all titles. TouchArcade.com covers the growing market of iPhone games.
Top Rated Comments
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40 months ago
If the games are good enough to justify the price... no problem. If it's big game company shovelware... no sale.
I wonder how much 'premium' games will cost in the UK (sigh).
I wonder how much 'premium' games will cost in the UK (sigh).
40 months ago
There are definitely apps that I would pay $20 dollars for, but games are not amongst them. I just don't think this is a viable gaming platform. The accelerometer is fickle and game controllers need more buttons (on-screen buttons just don't do it for me).
40 months ago
I think that this is a great move. Some really good games (which may be highly priced compared to others) are getting mixed in with the regular games that are priced at $1-$2 and are getting pushed out of attention. If this were implemented, then I think that these games would get the recognition they deserve.
I think that a better price set though would be $15, as very few apps in the game section break that barrier right now, and $20 seems a bit high. I think that in order to publish an app to this category though, they should have to be specially registered, have the apps closely examined by Apple to determine that they are indeed worthy of being classified as a premium game and ensure that there are no functionality bugs with the games (like some that have crashed regularly on startup). If they are going to be classifying them as premium games, then the should work like some, and not pushed out quickly to generate sales.
I think that a better price set though would be $15, as very few apps in the game section break that barrier right now, and $20 seems a bit high. I think that in order to publish an app to this category though, they should have to be specially registered, have the apps closely examined by Apple to determine that they are indeed worthy of being classified as a premium game and ensure that there are no functionality bugs with the games (like some that have crashed regularly on startup). If they are going to be classifying them as premium games, then the should work like some, and not pushed out quickly to generate sales.
40 months ago
Thats great and all but instead of games, how about a premium section for business type apps. I am actually sick of the bizzillion games in the app store.
40 months ago
I think this is a good idea, however the games would need to be very good for me to pay that price.
40 months ago
apple should rather set up a "featured app" list to advertize premium apps.
the $19.99 pricepoint seems quite arbitrary to me. within a short time there will be a number of junk apps in this section because everybody will try to sell as quick and as many apps for $19.99 as possible. so the companies will rush and throw whatever they have into this segment hoping that user don't check and buy.
if they truly only feature great apps in a special high quality section then they will be noticed and will sell at a premium price.
the $19.99 pricepoint seems quite arbitrary to me. within a short time there will be a number of junk apps in this section because everybody will try to sell as quick and as many apps for $19.99 as possible. so the companies will rush and throw whatever they have into this segment hoping that user don't check and buy.
if they truly only feature great apps in a special high quality section then they will be noticed and will sell at a premium price.
40 months ago
If the apps have enough to them and the developers ideas are carried out well then it will work.
My only gripe with some of these games are the controls. Like someone mentioned, the accelerometer is not 100% reliable and the touchscreen isn't always laid out the best. Some games I have bought are rarely played because of this. The most played game I have is monopoly for the simple fact it is fun and easy to control.
My only gripe with some of these games are the controls. Like someone mentioned, the accelerometer is not 100% reliable and the touchscreen isn't always laid out the best. Some games I have bought are rarely played because of this. The most played game I have is monopoly for the simple fact it is fun and easy to control.
40 months ago
If the games are good enough to justify the price... no problem. If it's big game company shovelware... no sale.
I wonder how much 'premium' games will cost in the UK (sigh).
Omnifocus is $19.99 / £11.99 so expect them to be £11.99.
There are definitely apps that I would pay $20 dollars for, but games are not amongst them.
I agree, while there are some good games on the iPhone I would quite like to see other applications getting a premium store for themselves as well.
40 months ago
apple should rather set up a "featured app" list to advertize premium apps.
the $19.99 pricepoint seems quite arbitrary to me. within a short time there will be a number of junk apps in this section because everybody will try to sell as quick and as many apps for $19.99 as possible. so the companies will rush and throw whatever they have into this segment hoping that user don't check and buy.
Only select developers would be allowed in this special section according to the rumor. So, while any developer can price their game at whatever price they want, to be featured in this $19.99 section, it probably has to be approved by Apple. Essentially, this is a "featured" section.
arn
40 months ago
Thats great and all but instead of games, how about a premium section for business type apps. I am actually sick of the bizzillion games in the app store.
I think that if Apple were to follow through with this, it would be a way to easily settle down the activity of the gaming section, and to truly promote the gamily capabilities of the iPhone/iPod touch and the game section of the App Store. Currently the gaming section dominates the App Store, and Apps in that section seem somewhat "lower quality" for the most part. And with Apple's classifying of the iPhone and iPod touch as gaming devices, they should probably have some true games that can rival other devices of similar nature. Currently finding some of those "true games" that are worth the buck is kind of hard because they get mixed in with all the other free or low-priced games in the App Store, I think that this is a great move for the App Store if it were to happen.[ Read All Comments ]
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