Consumers Would Pay More For Apps on iPad Than iPhone
Alex Ahlund, CEO of AppVee, writes an analysis over at TechCrunch of how he sees the Apple iPad changing the iPhone gaming industry. The gist is that, due to a combination of market-determined pricing and consumer psychology, iPhone game apps cost much less than their counterpart editions for other devices and platforms. On the other hand, because the iPad has a larger screen, there is a larger perceived value by consumers, and they’re likely more willing to pay for a higher priced app, especially for games
I can confirm that feeling, at least for myself. I’m not a gamer per se, but only because I get very addicted and intentionally tend to stay away. But lately, I’ve been playing 3-4 games (7 Cities, IQ Bloxing, Flood It 2 and especially Avatar, pictured above) made for the iPhone but on my iPad, and I am addicted. I’m embarrassed to admit they take up more of my time than they should. On top of that, I find myself wishing there were iPad-specific versions, for which I would pay extra for.
I already have put $9.99 each into several music apps made for the iPhone. However, they are worth it. For example, Korg’s iElectribe costs $9.99. Back in 2000, I bought 3 versions of the Electribe in hardware form, and the synths were barely bigger than the iPad in width and depth, but about 1-2 inches thick, if I recall. They also cost $300 each, and I bought three. That’s $1,000 after taxes. Here I have the functionality (almost exactly) of the hardware version but for $9.99. Sure, it’s missing all the MIDI sync, etc., and the tactility of a physical synth, but I get what I’m perceiving has the same audio quality or better. I can even pipe out the audio to a mixer or to recording software and know there’ll be digital quality in the end product
In a similar manner, iPad-specific games could deliver an amazing experience and warrant a higher price point that will help the development community thrive. But if iPad apps go the $0.99-1.99 route, once again, most developers will be making squat while a few make it big enough that media will write about it and developers that don’t know any better will think they can make a living.
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Image via Avatar iPhone game, copyright Fox Mobile Entertainment/ Twentieth Century Fox.