In-app payments seen as critical for the future - but will players agree?
When Apple announced that iPhone developers would be able to charge small amounts of money for extra content within their apps, it was seen as a good move.
However, developers fear a backlash from players, who have already got used to regular free updates to iPhone games with new content.
Korean firm Gamevil is a good example of the cautious attitude being taken to in-app payments. Its US boss Kyu Lee tells PocketGamer.biz that it's actually been removing micropayment options from its mobile games before porting them to iPhone.
"We want to provide a good experience to the end users, and don't think we have to be first to adopt it," says Lee.
Meanwhile, fellow developer Bolt Creative IS introducing in-app payments for its popular Pocket God iPhone game, but recognises the need to fully explain it to players.
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"We need to be frank with gamer and explain the how the big picture of micro-transactions affects the development roadmap," says founder Dave Castlenuovo.
"Without in-app purchases, a developer needs to focus on convincing new users to buy their app rather than keep their core users happy."
Both Lee and Castlenuovo also voice concern that Apple's minimum amount for an in-app payment - 99 cents - may be too high when many games originally sell for that amount.
