Why are WP apps so expensive?

[propeller10]

Many apps and games I see are way over $0.99. I see $2.99 apps everywhere in the marketplace. Most of the games are much cheaper elsewhere. Why is it that WP apps are more expensive compared to other platforms?

 

[TheWeeBear]

XBox Live games have always been more expensive as Microsoft considers them premium, because they include the ability to earn achievements which is part of the XBox Live service.

(Angry Birds is an example, next to free on other platforms, but not on WP, because it's a Live title.)

I know loads of folk couldn't care less about achievements but that's how Microsoft see them.

IMO most other apps aren't expensive, most are free or only a few pennies.

 

[propeller10]

XBox Live games have always been more expensive as Microsoft considers them premium, because they include the ability to earn achievements which is part of the XBox Live service.

I know loads of folk couldn't care less about achievements but that's how Microsoft see them.

haha true. I just wanna play the game. Angry Birds is $2.99 on WP while its is $0.99 on itunes. Now that feels like bit of a ripoff. MS should do something about this.

Also WP isn't exactly the most popular platform. And this isn't helping.

 

[TheWeeBear]

I know where' you are coming from for sure propeller10.

 

[btbam91]

Since their are a lot less users, developers charge more.

 

[BostonSammy]

At least Microsoft is giving us a $25 credit when we buy a new phone. I don't have that many paid apps on iOS anyway. $25 should get me everything I need.

 

[TheWeeBear]

At least Microsoft is giving us a $25 credit when we buy a new phone. I don't have that many paid apps on iOS anyway. $25 should get me everything I need.

Go on rub it in! LOL

 

[Duvi]

Go on rub it in! LOL

I'll rub it in too... I'll wait for my Titan to get here. Haha.

 

[TheWeeBear]

How could you be so cruel duvi ?

?16.18 worth of free apps and a Titan.

 

[propeller10]

Since their are a lot less users, developers charge more.

Rovio, the makers of angry birds definitely don't need more money lol. Just because the userbase is smaller, price should't be higher. I don't believe that is the reason.

 

[propeller10]

At least Microsoft is giving us a $25 credit when we buy a new phone. I don't have that many paid apps on iOS anyway. $25 should get me everything I need.

I did not know about that. 0.0 How do I go about getting that $25 credit?

 

[TheWeeBear]

I did not know about that. 0.0 How do I go about getting that $25 credit?

https://windowsphone.promo.eprize.com/redemptionprogram/:b=ie9/

Not that I'm bitter, but here you go propeller10

Hope you get sorted out with you free apps.

(Pah! US Only Rubbish, Moan Moan! etc etc)

 

[btbam91]

I'm still waiting on my card!

 

[TheWeeBear]

I'm still waiting on my card!

Me Too! Oh Wait!

 

[jalb]

I've always viewed it as Microsoft wanting to support devs more. Didn't they initially refuse to allow $.99 apps? Maybe I am misremembering.

 

[N8ter]

GameCenter has achievements so i have always wondered if that pricing is a good idea. Angry Birds and Fruit Ninjas are 3x the peice of the ios versions.

Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

 

[Allthisforwhat]

I've had my LG phone for a yer and no free apps card. Was that only for US citizens?

 

[Major]

In my experience the opposite is true. Most apps are cheaper than their iOS and Android counterparts. The only exceptions to the rule are XBox Live titles, for the aforementioned reason.

 

[Pronk]

I've always viewed it as Microsoft wanting to support devs more. Didn't they initially refuse to allow $.99 apps? Maybe I am misremembering.

That was the theory. Unfortunately, it doesn't work as well when you have a smaller market. A 99p app on iOS might make less per sale, but you have such a big potential market overall you can make far, far more.

Devs know it, which is why they go with where they can make the most more ofte than not, and why marketplace lag is so hard to catch up. You need the customer base to make people develop apps, but you need apps to grow the customer base. Vicious cycle.

I think MS could do worse to subsidise a few key apps and games though to encourage uptake. And still not having skype now that they own skype is flat-out bizarre.

 

[TaliZorah]

I'll rub it in some more. Waiting on my $25 app card too!