Changing price of a game and affect on charts

General (non-technical) Marketing and Monetization
#1

I am sure it is possible to change the price of a game after it has been released.

Just thinking about how best to market a game and wondered if launching it for free for an initial period and then putting the price up to a minimum price e.g $0.99 if it becomes popular is a good idea or not? And how would this price change affect how a game is ranked in the free game charts?

Perhaps it is better just to have 2 separate versions - one free and one for $0.99 with the paid for version having additional features?
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#2

The game can be on either the paid charts or the free charts, not on both. So whatever rank you achieve while it’s free will be lost once you set the price to $0.99.

If your goal is to maximize chart exposure, a paid and lite version might be your best bet.

I’m also not keen on the idea of releasing free and charging later. You lose the sales from all the people that were looking forward to your game and were gonna buy it day 1. [import]uid: 10835 topic_id: 6915 reply_id: 24207[/import]

#3

Thanks IgnacioIturra for clarifying that. I think I had read about people making their games free for the weekend and similar stunts to boost downloads. I am assuming this tactic would affect their rankings in the paid chart if they made their game free for the weekend?

Fortunately I do plan to have both a free and paid for version. I am just in the process of deciding what to remove for the free version.

Many thanks for the advice [import]uid: 7863 topic_id: 6915 reply_id: 24208[/import]

#4

What you’re hoping by going free is to enter the free charts and gain word of mouth from new players, so when turning back to paid you get more downloads.

But as soon as you go back to paid you switch to the paid charts and lose the free ranks you had achieved.

Edit: Remember that I said a lite + paid version would be better at maximizing chart potential, but not necessarily revenue. You also need to consider Free + IAP now. Depending on your game it might make more sense to go that way. [import]uid: 10835 topic_id: 6915 reply_id: 24216[/import]

#5

Thanks again IgnacioIturra

It is all fun and games this marketing malarkey.

So I guess the options are free version and a paid for version at say $0.99

Or a free version where the player can purchase the upgrades within the game. I assume this would still be classified as a free version?

I have spoken to a few people and they have all expressed a preference to buying a paid version rather than paying for an upgrade in the game. None of these people had however ever experienced buying anything in a game using IAP. These people may not be typical users though so I am not sure which route works best.

My game isn’t the kind of game where you can buy weapons or accessories so not sure it would be suitable for IAP unless of course buying the 2 player mode is suitable for this kind of IAP

Thanks

Paul [import]uid: 7863 topic_id: 6915 reply_id: 24217[/import]

#6

It could be exactly the same as a lite + paid version, but in one package. You could sell the 2 player mode as IAP if that’s the only difference between the free and paid version.

Basically you charge the $0.99 inside the free game to unlock the full game.

This has a few benefits, like same leaderboards for free and paid users (in the game modes offered in both versions), easier conversion of users (just 1 click to buy, instead of going to the store and downloading again).

I don’t think players are oppossed to that kind of IAP. It’s the nickel and dimming and buying expendables that get them (though it’s a big business, so someone out there likes it).

Disadvantage is less visibility, since you only show up in the free charts. Also setting up IAPs might be a little more involved.

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#7

Hmm IAP sounds quite interesting now though I did read that the free chart fluctuates more than the paid for chart. Anyway this is my first iPhone game so it is all very much geared to learning Corona rather than trying to make money. In order to get this game released sooner than later I may opt for two separate versions as I imagine setting up the IAP will delay my game even longer:)

Any links to any games that have IAP? I would like to see how this works in practice.

Thanks

Paul [import]uid: 7863 topic_id: 6915 reply_id: 24219[/import]

#8

“the free chart fluctuates more than the paid for chart.”

This is true. Though I think it’s much easier to make a splash in the free charts than the paid ones, probably for the same reason.

Cavern Drake by BeebeGames was the first IAP game made with Corona. It’s free so check it out, though they charge per item, not a unique unlock.

I think Tilt to Live has an unlock for the full game, though I’m not really sure. [import]uid: 10835 topic_id: 6915 reply_id: 24222[/import]

#9

Oh yes I read about the Beebe game. I will check that out and also the Tilt to live game - that sounds like an interesting title:) [import]uid: 7863 topic_id: 6915 reply_id: 24229[/import]