Google Play Store 'freemium' apps being investigated by Italian regulator

[ayanavish]

Google, Apple and Amazon are being investigated by Italian regulators over freemium apps. It's no secret that the freemium model for financing apps on mobile app stores have taken off in recent years. Simply doing a quick search on popular mobile platforms today will yield hundreds of results for freemium games and apps, initially free-of-charge to download, but sporting in-app purchases. The issue is whether or not consumers are being misled.

The investigation is being carried out by the Italy Antitrust and Competition Authority after the EU earlier this year called on companies to reform the use of 'freemium'. It's believed consumer confusion with the model threatens the long-term health of app stores and the economy in general. As well as Google and Apple, French game developer Gameloft is also being investigated on under similar concerns.

Said in-app purchases may include furthering the enjoyment of a fremium game, in the form of extra levels and other content. The maximum fine Italian authorities could place on parties involved is €5 million, which we're sure would be avoided if stores and developers alter the way these apps are marketed/sold.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...d-gameloft-for-misleading-free-to-play-games/
http://www.androidcentral.com/google-freemium-apps-being-investigated-italian-regulator

 

[dafreaking]

Freemium is OK IMHO, if done correctly. A few examples of some popular games.

Temple Run 2 - Hours of Gameplay without spending a penny. Spending money helps you increase your score but not required as it's in endless game.
PVZ 2 - Before the latest World was introduced the game can be finished without spending money. Now they have gone a bit overboard.

Freemium is ok as long as the developers don't over do it.

 

[ayanavish]

I didn't like what Stick Tennis did, the premium rackets were damn costly. For unlocking everything one has to pay.

 

[vivek.krishnan]

Firstly, just ensure that any purchase neeeds a PIN AND your kid does not know the PIN.

And have seen too much new posts come up in News Technology - people seem to be posting left and right for credits. Some limitations per day are needed.

 

[raksrules]

I have also observed that random threads have come in news section for the sake of credit points.

 

[Renegade]

The count of threads is not a concern as long as the threads have something relevant for the community and the information is not just links or a direct copy paste.

 

[Mr.J]

Candy Crush is worst in this. You want to play game for more than 15 minutes because all your 5 lives are over? You have to pay. And the game is designed to be addictive so it is frustrating in later stages.

 

[dafreaking]

Candy Crush is worst in this. You want to play game for more than 15 minutes because all your 5 lives are over? You have to pay. And the game is designed to be addictive so it is frustrating in later stages.

I played Candy Crush for a bit on my brother's iPad. When out of lives just move the clock forward.

 

[vivek.krishnan]

I played Candy Crush for a bit on my brother's iPad. When out of lives just move the clock forward.

And when you want to set time back to normaland need to reset the count, power cycle the phone.

 

[ayanavish]

Candy Crush is worst in this. You want to play game for more than 15 minutes because all your 5 lives are over? You have to pay. And the game is designed to be addictive so it is frustrating in later stages.

+1, however, their sale has declined so King is planning to release sequels to "Candy Crush" and its "Bubble Witch Saga" games. So, more Freemium games coming up.

 

[avi]

Whats wrong in this? failing to mentioning there are in-app purchases? iTunes explicitly mentions it.