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Are dodgy in-app purchases behind Smurfs' Village's top-grossing status?

Making more than birds angry

Are dodgy in-app purchases behind Smurfs' Village's top-grossing status?
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It started out as a story detailing how the freemium model – backed up by in-app purchases – could top an established app store superstar, with Capcom's Smurfs' Village out-grossing Angry Birds.

However, it would appear Mobile Entertainment's revelation has quickly uncovered what many consumers believe is something of an in-app purchase scam.

Currency claims

As detailed over on PocketGamer, comments both in iTunes and on the website point to iPhone owners - or mainly their children - paying for the game's virtual currency – Smurfberries – without realising.

Accounts suggest making such purchases can be done without users having to enter any passwords, resulting in one reader – Angry Jason – claiming the game is a "rip off and a fraud".

"My child also racked up £110 without my authorisation or a password in sight," said user alleged in the comments section.

"Have complained to Apple, Capcom and put all transactions into dispute with my credit card company."

Freemium fears

Mobile Entertainment's original story reported Smurfs' Village's success with some surprise, with Capcom's release out-performing Angry Birds on both sides of the Atlantic.

However, regardless of any in-app purchase concerns, The Smurfs' run on iPhone is by no means the only free release stretching purse strings.

In total, half of the current top 20 grossing games on the App Store have adopted the freemium model.

Keith Andrew
Keith Andrew
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font. He's also Pocket Gamer's resident football gaming expert and, thanks to his work on PG.biz, monitors the market share of all mobile OSes on a daily basis.