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Source: Apple calls in Capcom for Smurfs’ Village strife, considers changing iTunes password policy

A right royal smurf-up

Source: Apple calls in Capcom for Smurfs’ Village strife, considers changing iTunes password policy
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Pocket Gamer sister site PocketGamer.biz reports that Apple has called in developer Capcom to discuss the number of complaints and refunds it's had to deal with surrounding freemium game Smurfs’ Village.

Smurfs' Village is just one of many free games that uses in-app purchases to offer players digital content. Its popularity, and massive prices (Smurfberries can cost £59.99) has made it a target for parents, who’ve found their children spending hundreds of pounds on virtual berries.

The major problem stems from the fact that once you put your password into your iOS device, you are free to make purchases for the next 15 minutes without inputting your password again.

Rumours and a “well placed source” say Apple is considering reducing that time to around five minutes, to put a cap on accidental purchases.

If you’re a parent, and you want to find out how to stop your child racking up a hefty iTunes bill through these freemium games, click here to find out how to turn off in-app purchases entirely.

Mark Brown
Mark Brown
Mark Brown is editor at large of Pocket Gamer