I believe most of us have knowing about what's IAP. IAP or in app purchase definitely not a wrong 'thing'. In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with it. However, time goes on, people might changed and of course IAP too. In beginning, IAP was kind of micro transaction to download additional content from an app only. It also used for premium feature or full access (one time only) unlock, but right now there're so many type of IAP. Here is the list of IAP which might be found nowadays:
- IAP for buying more energy (usually freemium, but now there's energy on paid game too)
- IAP for buying secondary currency (freemium, paidmium)
- IAP for buying costumes (freemium, paidmium)
- IAP for buying speed timer (freemium, paidmium)
- IAP for removing ads (freemium)
- IAP for extra levels (paid and freemium)
- IAP for unlocking all levels inside (in a paid game, usually on puzzle/ level based game)
- IAP for buying cheat/ hint (freemium, paidmium)
- IAP for buying skip level (freemium, paidmium)
- IAP for unlocking full game (one time only for full access)
- and more will be coming soon (I believe)
- Make a freemium app with ads or bunch of IAP (on free to play system)
Here, there will be a free app with ads banner nor a full screen ads (can be displayed during the gameplay or not. IAP is usually for buying coins, removing ads or secondary currency. It can be used for buying cheat, hint also costumes. Usually, this isn't necessary but once you fall into it... be careful, it can be so addictive. The well example of this game: Boom Beach, Dragon Vale, Temple Run and many more
- Make a freemium app with many add-ons that you should buy if you want enjoy the full experience on the game. It's optional only but it's too grindy and need more patient.
This one is used for removing timer or unlocking premium content or unlock all levels. Sometimes it's good but sometimes it can be bad too depends on how the point of view on user. The well example of this freemium game is Smash Hit, the game can be completed without purchasing the IAP, but you can bought IAP to support this awesome developer.
- Make a freemium app with ads for gaining energy or secondary currency for free
Ads not bad, sometimes it can be used as tricky trick. If you're afraid because user won't bother to buy the IAP, like on facebook thing, giving a review on the app store and best of all watching 15 seconds of ads video will be used on this kind of freemium game. User should watch ads then they get 1 energy or IAP currency for free or can be movement too (Disco Zoo is a well implemented a freemium game with in-game ads)
Well, as we can see there's nothing bad from IAP but then let's see from user's point of view
--------- We want a paid app without any single IAP.
--------- We hate IAP, timer, ads
--------- But we like free game
--------- When there's a good free(mium) app but it has ads nor IAP inside, user will say..."I wouldn't mind to pay $5 on this game but that ads and IAP ruined it."
Then I'm wondering what should developer do:
====== Solution
- Make premium app without any single ads nor IAP
- Back to freemium method, following the rules above... Choose one, yes only one... Don't give us (user) double IAP
- Some people said, if make premium and freemium version can be the best too
In conclusion, again... I want to say if I'm not an anti IAP, but when it's went wrong too far, I don't think I can tolerate it more, though it's back to how us (user) face it. As I might said before, mobile gaming is a complicated world.... too many ironic and funny story inside at the same time, it's so complicated too for being a mobile gamer.... May be, if there's a change on mobile games (such as all premium games costs more than $3), more quality games for mobile, equality between PC/ console gamer and mobile gamer, etc then people's perspective on mobile gaming might be changed. Let's see how the mobile gaming goes on.... :) I'm a mobile gamer and someday, I believe there's no difference for being a console/ pc/ mobile gamer... because we are one, we are gamers :)