InAppPurchases
Latest
Senators have questions for Facebook over in-game payment policies
Recently unsealed court documents revealed that Facebook employees were aware children were running up massive tabs spending money on games. Now lawmakers have some questions for the social networking giant. Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg looking for more details about how Facebook handled game payments.
Facebook willingly let kids spend their parents' money and didn't stop it
Facebook employees recognized that children were running up massive tabs spending money on games but opted not to give refunds, according to Reveal News. The revelation was made as a result of court documents from a 2012 class-action lawsuit filed against Facebook that a federal judge recently ruled to make public.
Apple's new rules can make gifts out of in-app purchases
It looks like Apple will soon allow users to gift in-app purchases to friends and family thanks to a recent change to the company's App Store Guidelines. First spotted by MacRumors, the updated text shows developers can allow people to buy in-app purchases for one another. That includes everything from ongoing subscriptions to one-off boosts. Apple's policy previously barred such gifts.
Google adds screen time management to Chromebooks
When Google brought its Family Link parental controls to Chromebook, they weren't all that useful because there were limited options available. Now, Google is offering parents more tools to supervise how their offspring use their laptops.
Intellivision’s Amico is the latest retro console revival
Intellivision, the video game maker that didn't survive the '80s, is back and ready to build something new on top of gaming nostalgia. After teasing the idea earlier this year, the company has announced plans for a new console called the Amico -- one part retro console and one part family-friendly modern gaming system. Intellivision plans to release it with a mix of classic titles and new originals in 2020.
Merch booths are coming to a video game near you
Take a look through Etsy or the countless daily T-shirt sites and nerd-focused stores online and you'll find a common theme: merchandise featuring characters and other bits from your favorite video games. Soon, you won't have to go outside the title you're playing to grab a piece of tie-in swag, however. That's because online shopping company Shopify has designed a developer tool that hooks into games made with the incredibly popular Unity toolset, and sets up a virtual shop in-game where you can buy branded t-shirts and other tchotchkes. What's more, unlike the aforementioned storefronts, it'll be officially licensed merch.
Amazon is liable for in-app purchases made by kids, court finds
A federal judge today ruled that Amazon did not sufficiently warn people of the possibility of in-app purchases in "free" apps, making the company liable for unwanted charges incurred by children. The FTC filed the case in 2014 and argued that Amazon didn't provide adequate safeguards against unauthorized purchases in apps marked as "free," leading to millions of dollars in unwanted charges, the FTC said. Amazon argued that it was quick to respond to complaints and provided refunds when prudent.
Use Android Pay to handle your in-app purchases
Android Pay has been handling mobile payments for the Google faithful since September, and now it's ready to lend a hand inside apps. Starting today, you can use Mountain View's payments system to complete in-app purchases. Instead of having to pull out your wallet and manually enter card info, you can now easily tap the Android Pay button and confirm your details for quick transactions. The new addition gives Google's payments system a feature iOS users already had with Apple Pay.
Snapchat's 'lens store' is full of 99-cent selfie filters
Snapchat debuted in-app purchases back in September with the arrival of replays, and now it's offering more ways for you to spice up your selfies. The ephemeral messaging app introduced what it's calling a "lens store" today, a collection of photo flair priced at 99 cents each. Lenses aren't new to Snapchat. In fact, they've been around for a while now. However, in addition to the seven or so free lenses that are available each day, there will be an addition 30 paid options. Once you hand over $1 to secure one, it's yours forever, showing up in the app between the free and paid add-ons.
Apple makes iTunes more kid-friendly with 'Pay Once and Play'
No one likes having to buy carrots/coins/crystals just to progress in a mobile game. Thankfully, a new "Pay Once and Play" section has appeared in iTunes that lets you discover/buy games you can be sure won't hold you hostage with such in-app purchases. Kids racking up a huge bill on their parents' credit cards is a storied theme (something that has already caused Apple and others headaches), a problem that this new section should go some way to alleviate. As the name suggests, none of these games are actually free -- but at least you know the costs upfront. It appears Apple might be making other changes to the games section of iTunes, too. Developers are reporting that artwork and icons for their app that was previously passed as ok, is now being rejected for containing images deemed unsuitable for the very young (guns and gore etc.). Important to note, game content isn't affected, just the materials that promote it. It seems like Cook and co are making iTunes games a bit more family friendly.
South Park skewers 'freemium' games
If your business model is conning kids into spending their parents' hard-earned app-store cash on in-app purchased "rewards," it's fair to say you deserve to be ripped. South Park did the honors with its "Freemium isn't Free' episode involving a Terrence and Philip-branded Candy Crush-style game created by Canada's "Minister of Mobile Gaming." After he exposits that it's just "harmless fun" (see the clip below) it turns out that its a diabolical scheme involving Satan and addiction. The (delightfully silly) plot is just a wrapper for the satire, of course -- which points out that such games suck players in by letting them spend virtual cash before introducing real lucre. As any Farmville addict can attest, they're also just "barely fun" enough to keep you playing. It starts off a bit slow, but ends with a rollicking finish including Satan's spot-on sum-up of the whole phenomenon. You can grab the episode here (US-only, sorry to say).
Google Play Store update adds finer security control for app purchases
Making it smoother for you to buy up all the in-app items you need (or making it harder for your kids to do the same), Google's latest update to the Play Store is adding a new "Require password" settings option, as well as a more eye-catching in-app purchase reminder when applicable apps are downloaded. These security changes might well be in response to a recently filed class action lawsuit against Google Play, and the ability for children to really ring up those in-app purchases within a 30-minute window. In the company's defense, however, the default setting requires users to input their password for every app and in-app item. Apple recently added an in-app purchase nag warning inside its iOS 7.1 update, noting that once the password has been entered, users won't have to re-enter it for 15 minutes. Google's store update also adds the ability to batch-install apps (ready for that upgrade), although it's curiously dropped the batch-uninstall function. The fight against bloatware might take a little longer next time.
The power of free-to-play app pricing
"Free-to-play." For mobile gamers, those simple three words (often abbreviated as FTP) have a host of different meanings. For optimists, it means people can play high-quality games with little or no financial investment of their own. For others, it's a game-crippling inconvenience that ends up getting in the way of a good time. This writer falls into the latter category of "just let me buy the game once and leave me alone," but as the success of FTP games like Candy Crush Saga has shown, I'm in the minority. In fact 82 of the top-grossing games on the iPhone are FTP. They're here to stay, so we should probably learn to live with them. What makes a successful free-to-play game? Geoffrey Goetz of Gigaom.com has written an incredible -- and long -- rundown of the free-to-play market that answers the question "Why is free-to-play pricing so effective?" The answer is simple to understand, but complex to fully explain. It works a lot like how your parents probably explained drugs to you -- the first hit is free, but from then on, you start paying. As a developer, how do you make that first "hit" enjoyable? It comes down to three major factors, according to Goetz: Flow, Intermediate Currency and Dynamic Pricing. Flow is a game's ability to get you involved in play, and keep you involved. This is done by giving you a clear task, such as gardening or clearing all the Jellies in a level of Candy Crush. Intermediate Currency is removing the obvious exchange of money from your transaction. That's why so many games have you buying gems or coins for in-game purchases instead of using your everyday money. Your brain doesn't see gems and coins as real money when you're spending them in real time. Finally, these games use Dynamic Pricing to give you the illusion of saving money when the game wants you to. You might balk at paying $5 for access to a fire-breathing dog in an iOS game, but holy crap! Did you know that same dog is only $2 if you buy him on Labor Day? Those are the kind of savings that will drive you from the picket lines! The rest of Goetz's article examines the other aspects of the free-to-play marketplace and is well worth your time to read. Gamer happiness with in-app purchases, how parents can control their children's app spending and an examination of the real expense of virtual goods are just some of the angles he covers that I've personally never considered. Head over to Gigaom for the complete article. Depending on where you're at in Candy Crush, you probably have anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours before you can play again anyway! Unless, of course, you want to throw down a few extra dollars...
Study: freemium gamers say in-app purchases are worth it
In-app purchases (IAPs) have gotten a lot of bad press over the past year. It seems like it's every other week you'll see an article saying that some kid racked up US$20,000 in IAP's on his parents' account and now those parents want Apple to pay for it. But a new study has been released that shines some good light on the practice of freemium games that offer in-app purchases: gamers feel like they're a good deal. The study was conducted by video game research company EEDAR. It found that out of 3,000 respondents, 75 percent of those that spent US$50 on IAPs and 67 percent that spent over $100 thought the price was fair and they were benefiting from the experience. As EEDAR's senior analyst Patrick Walker told PocketGamer: "Critics of the free-to play-business model state that the model takes advantage of heavy spenders by leveraging impulsive buying behaviors rather than providing true gameplay value. However, when asked, the majority of heavy spenders endorse that they are satisfied with the purchases made in the mobile games on which they spend the most money. In addition, these heavy mobile spenders play on a broad variety of platforms, including consoles, and understand the value proposition supplied across different business models, and still choose to purchase microtransactions." The games that users said they bought the most IAPs from were Candy Crush Saga, with 22 percent of respondents buying IAPs in, and Clash of Clans, which totaled 9 percent of IAPs purchased.
Apple notifies iTunes users of In App Purchase settlement
Today I woke to an email from Apple's "In-App Purchase Litigation Administrator." The email informs iTunes account holders who've had a minor make an unapproved in-app purchase (IAP) that they may be eligible for iTunes store credit or a cash refund. According to the terms of the class action lawsuit settlement, if a minor used your iTunes account to buy less than US$30 worth of IAP's, you are eligible for a $5 iTunes store credit. If a minor used your iTunes account to buy more than $30 worth of IAP is, you're eligible for a cash refund. Users have until January 13, 2014 to submit a settlement claim. Claimants can find full details of the settlement, including a list of IAP eligible games, here. The full email follows. LEGAL NOTICE If your iTunes account was charged for an in-app purchase made by a minor in a game app without your knowledge or permission, you could be entitled to benefits under a class action settlement. The parties have reached a settlement in a consolidated class action lawsuit against Apple Inc. ("Apple") regarding in-app purchases of game currency charged by minors to an iTunes account without the account holder's knowledge or permission. If the settlement is court-approved, your rights may be affected. The United States District Court for the Northern District of California authorized this notice. The Court will have a hearing to consider whether to approve the settlement so that the benefits may be paid. This summary provides basic information about the settlement. What's This About? In a consolidated class action lawsuit pending against Apple, Plaintiffs alleged that certain iOS applications ("Apps") distributed through the App Store allowed minors to charge iTunes accounts for in-app purchases of game currency without the account holders' knowledge or permission. Apple denies all allegations and is entering into this settlement to avoid burdensome and costly litigation. The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing. Who's Affected? You're a "Class Member" if you're a United States resident who paid for an in-app purchase of game currency charged to your iTunes account by a minor without your knowledge or permission in a Qualified App. For a searchable list of Qualified Apps and the full definition of "Game Currency," please go to www.iTunesInAppPurchaseSettlement.com. Qualified Apps consist of all apps in the games category with a minimum age rating of 4+, 9+, or 12+ that offer in-app purchases of game currency. What Benefit Can You Get From the Settlement? You may choose between (a) a single $5 iTunes Store credit or (b) a credit equal to the total amount of Game Currency that a minor charged to your iTunes account without your knowledge or permission within a single forty-five (45) day period, less any refund you previously received ("Aggregate Relief"). A cash refund in lieu of an iTunes Store credit is available if (a) you no longer have an active iTunes account, or (b) your claims exceed $30 in total. Additional requirements for claiming charges after the forty-five (45) day period apply. You must complete a valid Claim Form to receive settlement benefits. The Claim Form will require you to attest that you: (a) paid for Game Currency charges in Qualified Apps charged to your iTunes account by a minor without your knowledge or permission; (b) did not knowingly enter your iTunes password to authorize any such purchase(s) and did not give your password to the minor to make any such purchase(s); and (c) have not received a refund from Apple for those charges. In addition, if you choose Aggregate Relief, the Claim Form will require you to identify the Qualified App, date of purchase, and price paid for each claimed charge. If you claim Aggregate Relief in excess of $30, you will also need to describe the circumstances under which a minor charged Game Currency to your iTunes account without your knowledge or permission. You may obtain a list of all in-app purchases, including Game Currency purchases, charged to your account by (1) selecting "View My Apple ID" from the iTunes "Store" menu, (2) entering your Apple ID and associated password, and (3) clicking "See All" under the heading titled "Purchase History." Who is Eligible for Cash Refunds? Cash refunds will be available to Class Members who no longer maintain iTunes accounts or whose total Aggregate Relief claims exceed $30. A detailed notice and Claim Form package contains everything you need and is available at www.iTunesInAppPurchaseSettlement.com. You can also obtain a Claim Form package by calling 1-855-282-8111. What Are Your Options and What Are the Deadlines? YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT: OPTION EXPLANATION DEADLINE SUBMIT A CLAIM FORM The only way to get a payment under the settlement. January 13, 2014 EXCLUDE YOURSELF Get no payment under the settlement. This is the only option that allows you to ever be part of any other lawsuit against Apple about the claims and allegations in this case. August 30, 2013 OBJECT Write to the Court about why you don't like the settlement. August 30, 2013 GO TO A HEARING Ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the settlement. September 27, 2013 DO NOTHING Get no payment under the settlement. Give up rights. N/A Please read the full notice, which is available at www.iTunesInAppPurchaseSettlement.com, and decide whether you wish to make a claim. To claim a settlement benefit, you must submit a valid Claim Form on or before January 13, 2014. If you do not claim a settlement benefit within this time period, you will lose your right to obtain this benefit. If you don't want to make a claim and you don't want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must postmark your request to exclude yourself by August 30, 2013, or you won't be able to sue, or continue to sue, Apple about the legal claims and allegations in this case. If you exclude yourself, you will not be eligible to receive a payment from this settlement. If you stay in the Class, you may object to the settlement. Objections must be received by August 30, 2013. The detailed notice describes how to exclude yourself or object. The Court will hold a hearing in this case (In re Apple In-App Purchase Litigation, Case No. 5:11-CV-01758-EJD) on October 18, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. to consider whether to approve (1) the settlement and (2) attorneys' fees and expenses of up to $1.3 million for Class Counsel, and service awards to each of the five Plaintiffs of up to $1,500 each. You may appear at the hearing, but you don't have to. For More Information About the Settlement To obtain a full notice and claim form, go to www.iTunesInAppPurchaseSettlement.com or call toll free 1-855-282-8111. For more details, go to www.iTunesInAppPurchaseSettlement.com or write to Boni & Zack LLC, Attn: Joshua D. Snyder, 15 St. Asaphs Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004; or Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky, P.C., Attn: Simon B. Paris, 1650 Market Street, Floor 51, Philadelphia, PA 19103. For More Information About Apple Parental Controls Apple provides owners of iOS devices such as the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch with the option to implement parental controls which prevent minors from charging in-app purchases to an iTunes account without the knowledge or permission of the account holder. You can learn more about these parental controls at support.apple.com/kb/HT4213. For Spanish-Language Information About the Settlement Por favor diríjase a www.iTunesInAppPurchaseSettlement.com para obtener una copia de este aviso y otros documentos importantes e información en español. BY ORDER OF THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT
Dear parents, it's not Apple's In-App Purchase problem, it's yours
Dear parents, Week after week we see articles about someone's child racking up thousands of dollars' worth of In-App purchases on their parents' iTunes account. You know the stories. They're ones like this: Five-year-old spends $2,500 on in-app purchases. And this: Apple's in-app game charges: how my kids ran up huge bills. And this: Apps that cost parents dearly: Children running up huge bills on supposedly free games on phones and tablets. And this: Son makes £3,700 in app purchases, policeman father reports him for fraud. And inevitably, Apple takes the blame in the national media and several blogs. But here's the thing: it's not Apple's fault; it's yours. I wouldn't give a 5-year-old access to my credit card in a candy store and you probably shouldn't either. But that's exactly what you're doing when your give them access to your iTunes password. Children don't have the maturity to postpone immediate gratification for long-term gains. You know that because you were a child once. So if you let them into the massive candy store called iTunes and give them free rein with your purchasing details, you have no one to blame but yourself. So just don't do it. And stop blaming Apple. The company has done its fair share of helping out with an option in iOS that allows you to disable in-app purchases on your kid's device. Here's how to do it.
Nook getting in-app purchasing 'soon,' B&N promises 'thousands' of top apps
Sure Barnes & Noble's already promising you the ability to download the "most popular and bestselling top 100 app titles for tablets available anywhere," but what happens when you want to buy something in those apps? Fear not, the bookstore-turned-hardware-maker will be bringing in-app purchases to its line of slates "soon," thanks to a partnership with Nook developer Fortumo. That company's bring single click payment to the Nook ecosystem and offering dashboards and analytics on consumer buying habits for developers. Thanks to the offering, B&N feels certain that, "thousands of the most-requested games and apps featuring in-app purchasing will be available for customers to experience on NOOK's award-winning line of tablets" in the months to come.
Russian hacker circumvents iOS in-app purchases
This is why we can't have nice things. A Russian hacker who goes by ZonD80 has published a way to (using his servers) bypass the actual App Store's in-app purchasing servers and unlock content without having to pay. While slightly clever, this is bad for a few reasons. First, you're stealing. That's bad enough, but should you need more it's important to note that you'll also be sending a Russian hacker info like the unique ID for your device. As much as you want those billion Smurfberries for free, we recommend you stay far away from this. Here's hoping Apple patches this quickly. 9to5Mac has more details (via i-ekb.ru) but Macworld interviewed the hacker and a few developers for response. Also, commenters on 9to5 point out developers can (and should) validate receipts, which is how some apps are able to deny would-be thieves. I'm guessing many more developers will implement this now.
Windows Phone 8 will finally deliver in-app purchases
Everyone else already does it, so it was about time that Microsoft jumped on the in-app purchasing bandwagon. With the debut of Windows Phone 8, Microsoft will now offer developers the ability to deliver additional content, upgrades and media via an integrated purchasing tool. The feature was demoed as part of the new wallet feature, which will protect you from accidentally completing an in app purchase with a PIN. What does this all mean? That you can finally have FarmVille on your Windows Phone. Cause that's what we've all been waiting for, right? Guys... where are you going? %Gallery-158736%
Facebook smooths the way for carrier billing on in-app purchases
Facebook has known for some time now that its app-monetization process was more SucksVille, than FarmVille. Now, it's just announced that it's rolling out the new silky-smooth two-step payment process. This means you can stock up on Farm cash sans typing, and forget about the real cost until your mobile bill turns up. Currently most US and UK networks are on board, but more international operators will be added as soon as they can. If you already have payments integrated in your app, you should be good to go, but if you don't, and you want a slice of the pie, there's an API and instructions via the source link.
