Rovio has just launched across android and iOS Angry Birds Go, it’s free go kart racing game, supplemented by in app purchases.
Rovio are trying to be honest (pull the other leg) by clearly stating there is in app purchases, a message to parents that the game has social networking links, advertising, product purchases and in app purchases. In fact seeing the warning made me think maybe this game won’t be ruined by in app purchases.
Sadly, it is another game totally ruined by in app purchases. The game loses all fluidity as your characters tire and need time (20 mins) to recharge. This time will increase the more you play the game. But don’t worry you can buy yourself out of this time and recharge straight away. But before you get to this point, you are asked if you want double points for life at £4.99. The cheapest option is £1.99 all the way up to £34.99. And then you go kart isn’t powerful enough. So guess what you can buy yourself out of trouble.
I would pay for this game outright but I won’t be caught playing a game with an unknown cost to finish.
Apple and Google should make developers state what the maximum or typical costs involved for the game. In fact Apple and Google should create a top ceiling allowed for all games. Except they won’t. As they both take a huge cut and make loads of money.
It’s odd that some of my best games on iOS are those before in app purchasing arrived. They are decent games I bought which dont suddenly stop and ask you to cough up more money to keep playing.
I will leave you with my lasting thought on Angry Birds Go. Red Bird is tired and needs a nap. He’s fed up racing down the same slope with marginally different challenges. The first 30 mins were fun but Red Bird is so tired, he has been obliterated off the iPhone!!
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In a personal sense I am fortunate that I do not play games, but I have a young granddaughter so my iPad is littered with ‘young girly games’!
Okay, before I get hounded I have placed all her games to one side in a folder so on the surface there is nothing to differentiate my iPad from another.
Anyway, I digress…… It both saddens and annoys the heck in me that in a time when money is tight for many and with all the problems the world is facing the prominence is always centred around greed.
“Hey Guys, I’ve just thought of a way to make more money. Instead of charging a fixed amount for a game lets make it seem cheaper by charging small amounts but do it again and again…… Boy we could make millions doing this”.
I can almost hear the cheers of joy from the shareholders.
The world is full of too many Sherrif’s of Nottingham and Prince John’s.
Where is today’s Robin Hood when you need him?
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