in-game purchases / the zyngafication of gaming

how do we feel about this?

i kind of despise in-game purchases in iOS games; even if the game itself is free, it feels somehow like being cheated. even when a game's IAPs are cheats/shortcuts, not additional content, i feel it cheapens the game overall.

will anyone ride for this trend, besides developers who i'm sure are making good dough from it?

I really don't understand how this works. I prefer games that cost money because it seems like the costs are less hidden, but freemium games seem to be among the most profitable and the most advertised titles. But the few freemium games I do play (Temple Run, Tiny Tower...) don't really incentivize in-game purchases.

Freemium games seem to differ in spirit from Lite versions, which are more like trials.

Anyway, my friend works for a freemium company and they seem to be making a lot of money.

temple run was what got me thinking - you don't pay for content, but for cheats. i find that somewhat... dishonourable to even offer.

I hope people do buy stuff in Temple Run because that game is far too good to be free.

i would rather have paid for it than be cajoled into buying coins