Apple Rumors - $19.99 Games in AppStore for Premium Developers

Posted by:Aaron Besson
January 29th, 2009

It seems more and more that Apple wants to position the iPhone and more so the iPod Touch against Nintendo’s DS and Sony’s PSP in the hand held gaming market. Recent rumors suggest that Apple may be looking to set up a premium gaming section that will offer games at a price point of $19.99 - and not the trendy $9.99 and lower that we see today.

The move may be to attract more serious developers and of course more serious titles. By fixing a price at $19.99 game developers can spend more time/money on R&D for native iPhone games and big game houses like EA could offer preimuim titles usually on seen on gaming consoles. The fixed price of $19.99 would ensure profits for the developers, and of course Apple. It will also make the market for highend games in the AppStore more stable, where currently a premium game may launch at $9.99 but because of the flood of other games for $0.99-$4.99 the developers may drop their price to be noticed in the top 25 (50) most popular games. But with games of a certian quality and from the top developers all put on a level playing field, the games may actually be ranked on their quality and not their price. It should also clearly seperate the iFarts from the Rolando’s.

But - Would you pay $19.99 for a game for your iPhone or iPod Touch?

I spend allot fo time using my iPhone, I have over 25 games, and I must admit, i maybe spend 10 minutes a month playing games, other than that its social and productive apps for me. I have recently taken all the games etc off my 3G and have left my iPod Touch as my gaming toy. Games currently make up about 25% of all App sales in the AppStore.

[Rumor via PocketGamer]