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Always looking on the bright side of things aren't you
As the introduction stated, this product isn't aimed at our core Trainz Simulator audience. One review says "It would definitely be for kids" which is exactly who the product is aimed at (so we take that as a positive rather than negative).
The other talks about in-app purchases like they are the devil. We haven't decided on the final business model, but at some point money needs to change hands to pay for the product. On 90% of mobile products these days, that money changes hands after the product is installed.
The interesting thing is that people walk into a shop and there are hundreds (or thousands) of items for sale. Yet I have never once heard anyone say "I'm outta here - they want me to buy all this stuff - it would cost me thousands to buy everything and all I wanted was a chocolate bar."
With mobile products, you get to walk into the shop (download the game) and even eat chocolate (play the base game) for as long as you like. If you want anything other than chocolate, you have to pay. No-one accuses a shop keeper of being a thief for selling more than one item in his store.
Really scraping the bottom of the barrel with this one. Next we'll have porn ads...
Really scraping the bottom of the barrel with this one. Next we'll have porn ads...
But one question: Why, if IoS app sells better than Andy for adults, do you aim for Andy children rather than IoS children. Will they be more easily suckered by your scam? Are Andy parents less caring of their children? (Or are there simply more children in that cohort?)
I'm sorry if I came across harshly towards anyone - text doesn't have "tone" attached to soften any of the words. I know there are many different business models and that it is different with kids vs teens vs adults. Our audience here are not likely to have access to a credit card, so any purchase will be by asking Mom or Dad to buy them some extras. They bought them the app in the first place, so making another purchase is what parents do (of course they won't all agree, but not all will say no either).
..snip..
iOS release relies on the Apple approval process while there is no process at Google Play so (as stated in the article on the home page) iOS is likely to be next week, so unfortunately there is no conspiracy theory regarding parent attitudes to their children based upon hardware choice.
What I would really love to know is exactly what barrel you think we are scraping here. Are you talking the focus of the product (kids)? The business model (which may well be modified in the future)? Is it that you see child-focused app less worthy of attention than a simulator? And how does any of this relate to porn ads?
Is your concern that we might make money? or lose money? I wonder which option would concern you more?
I would also love to understand more your concept of scam. In what way is a product which is sold at a known price with the clear statement regarding "Offers in-app purchases" for totally optional extras a "scam"? Surely there has to be hidden elements to qualify as a scam?
Are buyers of Trainz Driver or Trainz Sim for mobile being similarly scammed? The business model is pretty much identical. The vast majority of apps these days are based upon in-app purchases so perhaps all apps are scams?
Please feel free to continue the discussion because I am totally puzzled as to the nature of the hostility towards a really fun product (although perhaps you haven't tried it to find out?).
This kind of marketing plays upon the vulnerability and naivety of children. The point is that parents will feel pressured into paying for extra products that are little more than passing novelties to children. Think sweet racks at supermarket checkouts. All apps that do this are scams.
If it is such an honest marketing strategy, why don't you introduce it to the adult versions (the business models are not identical, as you well know)?
Phimat, I don't think you're going to convince me that creating a product for children is a bad idea nor that asking for money in return for people using the product is a bad idea either.
Sweets last for mere moments, while an app like Train Town can provide hours of enjoyment.
We've also decided to launch with a slight variation on the free trial so unlike sweets, you get a bag of sweet gameplay for free and you can get more every day for free.
If you own an Android device, you can now download the product for free and play it free forever. You can even enjoy content you haven't paid for but only for a limited time in each session.
It might have a few more bells and whistles, but isn't that what KickStarter and similar schemes do?Why don't you get revenue in another manner. Why not offer a few levels of contribution from existing customers and a discount coupon for that amount when the new program is available NO development costs to cover and borrowing money at zero interest. So if I sent you $5.00US to help cover the development costs of the new program you would give me a $5.00US discount when I bought it.