The average price of a Top 10 iPhone game? $1.89

cmfnyc | 9 July 2009

I think something to consider are the uncertain expectations that surround app store games. This is a new platform and one not dedicated to gaming. As a consumer, I have been unsure of what to expect in a game that I buy. Will it last hours or minutes? I think developers are uncertain, too. Or, I should say, I think that ideas for length and depth of gameplay vary greatly, particularly between indie and major devs. I think this is the overlooked factor in pricing.

I pay $9.99 for games that I have confidence won't be over in a blink. I heard a lot of complaints on forums about Gameloft porting the DS version of Assassin's Creed, but for me the news was welcome--I knew I would be getting something equivalent to a DS game for my $9.99. I had something to gauge my decision on.

I think until devs find some common ground on game life, we will continue to see pricing issues. Within days of each other, you see Doom Resurrection with only 8 levels and Rolando 2 with much more, both for the same price. Different games, sure. But in the App Store, these games live together. As much as I love Doom, 8 levels seems really short. With Rolando 2, I have baseline from the first one, so I am far more comfortable taking the plunge.

$10 may not be much, particularly when compared to DS or PSP games, but it adds up both for consumers and at scale for devs. With the number of iDevice holders mushrooming, it seems to me that devs should worry more about value and stickiness and less about price. ... Spoken like a true consumer.

spencermike | 10 July 2009

people like apps at 59c cas if they turn out crap they can jus say iy only cost me 59c iphone game developers arnt going to be serius about making games for this devise until apps get sold at expensiver price!