wraggster
June 8th, 2013, 22:11
Another big children’s IP has chosen to pursue the premium in-app-purchase route.
Apps Playground (http://www.appsplayground.com/apps/2013/06/06/spongebob-squarepants-mobile-game-includes-69-99-in-app-purchase-option/) reports that Nickelodeon’s new SpongeBob SquarePants game for iPhone and iPad, which was released yesterday, includes an eye-watering £69.99 IAP.
The game relies on two forms of in-game currency – gold coins and Jellyfish Jelly. These can of course be earned in-game but can also be purchased directly in increments costing between 69p and £34.99.
The site points out hat the game does at least offer the following disclaimer upon loading: “Additional cool stuff can be purchased in SpongeBob Moves In! It’ll be charged to your iTunes account. You can adjust your device setting to lock the ability to make In-App purchases!”
The app’s iTunes listing also clearly states that IAPs are included in the game.
But it’s still a risky move at a time when premium IAPs are under immense scrutiny.
A combination of high-profile media coverage for families stung by unwanted IAP charges (http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/apple-refuses-to-refund-five-year-old-s-1-700-app-store-spending-spree/0111622) andstrategic inconsistencies (http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/analysis-inconsistent-app-store-strategies-highlight-iap-problems/0115343) across the App Store have forced the Office of Fair Trading (http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ukie-pledges-to-work-with-oft-in-iap-investigation/0114022) to launch its own investigation.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/new-ios-spongebob-squarepants-game-includes-69-99-iap/0116807
Apps Playground (http://www.appsplayground.com/apps/2013/06/06/spongebob-squarepants-mobile-game-includes-69-99-in-app-purchase-option/) reports that Nickelodeon’s new SpongeBob SquarePants game for iPhone and iPad, which was released yesterday, includes an eye-watering £69.99 IAP.
The game relies on two forms of in-game currency – gold coins and Jellyfish Jelly. These can of course be earned in-game but can also be purchased directly in increments costing between 69p and £34.99.
The site points out hat the game does at least offer the following disclaimer upon loading: “Additional cool stuff can be purchased in SpongeBob Moves In! It’ll be charged to your iTunes account. You can adjust your device setting to lock the ability to make In-App purchases!”
The app’s iTunes listing also clearly states that IAPs are included in the game.
But it’s still a risky move at a time when premium IAPs are under immense scrutiny.
A combination of high-profile media coverage for families stung by unwanted IAP charges (http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/apple-refuses-to-refund-five-year-old-s-1-700-app-store-spending-spree/0111622) andstrategic inconsistencies (http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/analysis-inconsistent-app-store-strategies-highlight-iap-problems/0115343) across the App Store have forced the Office of Fair Trading (http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ukie-pledges-to-work-with-oft-in-iap-investigation/0114022) to launch its own investigation.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/new-ios-spongebob-squarepants-game-includes-69-99-iap/0116807