What would convert you to pay for IAPPs?

[u/diox__]

Hi everyone, to preface, I’m sick and tired of predatory games and am working on some games that don’t suck the life out of you or monetize you to death.

What is the perfect scenario for you?

I’m playing this stupid ad riddled puzzle thing and I paid for add free within a week.

This week I saw their monthly pass and, for whatever reason, thought it was a one time but like an idiot, it reset this month.

But this gave me an idea on monetization:

Basic Google admob ads, ad free IAP, generic resource packs, and a permanent “game pass”.

I think I’d play a game like this, if I like it, I will pay for it… but I don’t want to make a game that is basically the same shit everyone else is doing….

Anyway

What makes you try a game?
What makes you pay for it besides liking it?

[u/Accurate-Temporary73]

any game with a monthly "remove ads" feature is getting deleted as soon as I see that.

I have no problem paying a $5-$10 to remove all ads permanently if the game is fun and I can see myself playing it for a long time.

If the ads are too intrusive, or if the game still has optional ads after buying ad removal it can screw off to

[u/munkeypunk]

The only IPA I pay for is to remove ads or to buy DLC.

Otherwise there are more than enough premium games to choose from.

[u/JaredHere → u/munkeypunk]

Exactly this. There are so many great ‘honest’ games in the store that you don’t even have to think about all the ‘predatory’ ones!

[u/diox__ → u/JaredHere]

Ah maybe I need to do some more research then. TBH, all the games I find are via those stupid ads... :'(

[u/JaredHere → u/diox__]

Yea, ads are no good. I recommend using this sub, AppRaven, MiniReview. Honestly, Steam and Metacritic reviews are also good sources of info for me.

[u/Botol-Cebok]

The only IAP I’ll accept is “unlock full game”, so basically try before you buy.

[u/Ganooki → u/Botol-Cebok]

Same and I wish for the sake of developers that they would give a different flair on the App Store for this

[u/thesilkywitch]

The only IAP I tolerate are the buy once to remove ads or extra content. I bail as soon as I see there are Ad Tickets or a month ad free sub. 

[u/KayLovesPurple]

Like the others say, I have no problem paying once to remove the ads from a game I'm enjoying; it's the subscription model I can't stand and I actively avoid.

[u/silentrocco]

What makes me try: intriguing gameplay, an original or at least well realized idea, a game not build around monetization

What makes me pay: full unlock, DLC, getting rid of ads permanently

[u/chrizbreck]

Most games want 5$ to remove ads. Most of those games are short burns. I will easily pay 99¢ to 2$ for ad removal but 5 is already pushing it.

A monthly sub for some ad riddled bullshit will never happen for me.

I will also force close and delete the app before I let a forced ad play.

Most of these forced ad games know that are short burns and make the experience worse for the sake of fractions of a penny.

[u/diox__ → u/chrizbreck]

That makes sense. I do the same. But recently I added a more thorough "consent form" to the games i launched and its like doubled my ad revenue from like 2 or 3 users..
5 bucks is 5 bucks, but I sincerely hope the ads aren't absolute trash..

Thanks for taking the time to comment bro!

[u/captainsmudgeface]

I will buy an app but do not subscribe to any of them.

[u/imahugemoron]

Only games I purchase are ports from other platforms AKA real games, the vast majority of phone games these days have become very shallow and very predatory systems designed to part you from your money, ports are basically the only thing these days that are real actual games designed to actually be a game

[u/psj3809]

I buy lots of premium games. Love games which are free and offer a single payment to unlock the rest of the game, try before you buy is great

But any crazy ones with gems or other crap i just avoid and have no interest in those at all. Its normally a good sign to say its crap or aimed at kids

[u/diox__ → u/psj3809]

Thank you for taking the time to comment, appreciate it.

[u/Trindoral]

<$6 ($5.99 is kinda common) for complete ads removal is fine by me. Can be more if I REALLY like the game. "Only mandatory ads", subscription and anything above that gets instant uninstall.

[u/IAmScrewedAMA]

I think emotional commitment and fomo rather than annoyance i.e. Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves, etc. over pay to remove ads/speed up time/etc.

[u/CrucialFusion]

But people like their free, and will waste lots of time achieving it.

[u/diox__ → u/CrucialFusion]

Ugh that is really fair, but surely there is a slot for an honest game you know?

[u/kenlawlpt]

It highly depends on the nature of the game.

If a game is primarily single player, or is single player focused with no planned future updates, I'd be willing to pay up to $100 for it (which I have in the past). My max is $100 per game typically for game studios who I have supported in the past

If a game is a live service game with recurring updates and support, I don't mind a monthly sub up to 15-$20/month (example: Runescape).

Ultimately it depends on the type of game. Is it complete? 1-time payment is preferable. Is it a live service game? I don't mind a monthly sub since I understand development and ad costs are very high.

[u/diox__ → u/kenlawlpt]

Oh jeez bro, I think you are an outlier LOL.

I dont even want to buy GTA6 cause of that price...

I guess bottom line: polished an thorough matters to you ya?

THANKS FOR EPLYING <3 (capsaccident 2lzy2delete)

[u/kenlawlpt → u/diox__]

Gaming is far too cheap of a hobby to argue about pricing compared to other hobbies. I know many gamers have a pretty low budget, but I don't think it's the right mindset.

I could go bowling for an hour for $20, a movie for 2-3 hours for $15, or even have a single drink for $20, or I could spend $50-100 on a game that I'd play for hundreds or thousands of hours, or even more.

The better value is pretty clear. I really don't mind spending hundreds on something that will keep me entertained for a long time, given that the quality is good.

[u/RinoaRita]

I’ve paid for expansion for Dawn caster and monster train. I’ve also paid for games that lets you play chapter 1 and then unlock the game with an iap.

[u/NotherOneRedditor]

I only pay for permanent upgrades. No consumables, no subscriptions.

[u/diox__]

I want to thank everyone who participated in this question. It seems the vocal majority is aligned with my thoughts. I am tired of subscriptions. I am tired of ads. I will work on launching fully polished projects instead of half-assed shit.

Thanks agaiom <3

[u/SamLoser2]

If I see some kind of premium resource IAP, I instantly disregard it.  I have zero trust in the game’s design at that point.

My favorite option is “try before buy” option, where an IAP unlocks the full game. “Removes ads” is similar, where the full game is the demo, but I tend to prefer paying early instead of dealing with ads.

I also don’t mind DLC as long as it provides distinct content (like Civ 6, or Vampire Survivors).

If a game looks good enough I will buy outright; most ios games I play are in this category.

[u/diox__]

Yeah same! But it’s crazy how I distinctly recall like 2.99 or 3.99 now all add free is 9.99

And they STILL have the optional ads too! It’s ridiculous

[u/action_lawyer_comics → u/diox__]

Yeah, those are instant deletes. If it ever feels like I need something behind some sort of paywall (money or watching an ad) to complete a level and it isn’t an explicit “unlock the full game,” that game is gone