There have been many recent news items about people racking up £2,000 bills for their kids in app purchases. But surely it can’t be that bad?

Well let’s have a view –

– My Little Poney – most expensive item is a special pony at £42
– Real Racing 3 – several of the top cars cost £45 plus
– Gun Bros – you’ll need £100s here. Total ripoff.

The increase in freemium games, or games suddenly going from paid to a freemium model, or apps now starting to offer in app purchases has grown like crazy. In the same light, we the consumer are being ripped off at an increasing scale. I can understand buying a £40 game for a full size console, as it will have depth and long term playability, and will be the full version, but for a game like Real Racing 3 , this in app purchasing is taking the biscuit.

And if your phone or tablet crashes and you need to do a fresh install you will lose or your investments. Many games and apps are being ruined by in app purchases. Games lose fluidity. Why cant developers offer two versions. A freemium or full version?

But why don’t the owners of the app stores do something to regulate this out of control in app purchasing? Well the don’t because a large percentage of their revenues derive from the freemium and in app purchases.

There is a place for in app purchases and freemium but not at the expensive of ripping off users. I also believe there should be transparency, so that every freemium game clearly shows how much money is needed to be spent per game, and for apps with in app purchases the same rules. In addition, games or apps that you bought as full versions should not be allowed to be changed a year down the line to a part freemium or in app purchase model.

Do you agree or have a different viewpoint?