In game purchases. Do i need to own a server?

Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#1

As the title goes. Did a quick search but didn’t find anything that i need to know exactly.

If i want to do in game purchases for my game, do i need to own a server? If i don’t, can i still do in game purchases? Any tips from devs who have experience is appreciated [:

Thanks in advance! [import]uid: 74723 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 325303[/import]

#2

Depends on how you implement it.
If you include all the content in the app and unlock it by setting a “bought” variable to true. Then it can be done in app. I think that having a server that checks if one actually paid for the content is better though. To prevent jaibreakers to get the content for free. [import]uid: 100901 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102257[/import]

#3

Having a server is indeed safer, but IMHO it is not worth the hassle.

The only time you really need a server is when using auto-renewable subscriptions. You will need a server to check whether the subscription has expired or not.

Other than that, I’d say you just implement it without a server. [import]uid: 64174 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102264[/import]

#4

So jailbreakers will be able to get my IAP’s for free if I don’t use a server? Or does it depend on how I created them in my app? [import]uid: 39302 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102273[/import]

#5

There’s a crack that can be installed on jailbroken devices. Not every jailbreaker has it. The server is a way for you to verify their purchases. The crack won’t work in this case. [import]uid: 31262 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102290[/import]

#6

:smiley: Yes they do:
https://twitter.com/#!/gtatarkin/status/182138855535804416 [import]uid: 12704 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102299[/import]

#7

wow! Does this happen to most developers who don’t use a server? [import]uid: 39302 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102303[/import]

#8

uh seriously?

Is cracking in-app purchases very common?

I assumed the number of ‘crackers’ would be negligible so I never thought of using server side validation. [import]uid: 64174 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102304[/import]

#9

If the cracks/Hacks for IAP works “so well” as you guys are saying I think I would go the 2nd route instead: no use of IAP and make a paid version of the app. :\

Is that a “better” (safe) way then?
Rodrigo. [import]uid: 89165 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102308[/import]

#10

That is probably better. What about people who would like to put IAP’s in a “paid” app? Like me…
Should they use a server? [import]uid: 39302 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102309[/import]

#11

Getting a paid app for free is even easier I believe on jailbroken phones. So doesn’t make a diff. [import]uid: 100901 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102322[/import]

#12

Guys don’t go as far as reworking your entire app. A person that cracks IAP isn’t going to just buy 1 pack of coins or 1 extra item. They will buy many and multiple times. That crawls pace link gtatarkin posted is doesn’t say enough info. Just like downloading paid apps, most would not have bought that IAP to begin with. Secondly, they will buy like10 coin packs at once or unlock every option available. With a low number of crackers they can quickly make your stats look worse than they really are. Just don’t freak out quite yet. [import]uid: 31262 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102327[/import]

#13

Thanks for sharing yours thoughts guys…
[import]uid: 89165 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102330[/import]

#14

Thanks for the reply. I will probably go without a server since i have limited budget. To others regarding cracking/jailbreak. On the bright side, if my game has reach that stage where players bother to find ways to crack, that means my game is successful enough [: [import]uid: 74723 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102351[/import]

#15

my 2cents, if someone wants to crack they will hack/crack anyways but for every 1 person that will try to steal your app, there will be 3-5 more that will pay for it. We are in times when ethics are not valued anymore.

So, do what needs to be done, do not worry about someone doing the wrong thing by you. Server or no server. [import]uid: 141131 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102355[/import]

#16

Cracking is incredibly common and personally I like to be positive about it; some people will always pirate media but I don’t see it as lost sales, I see it as people who never would have bought the app anyway who might promote it a little if they enjoy it via social sharing like FB, Twitter, etc.

It still sucks, just a lot less when you don’t see it as being all lost revenue.

@gtatarkin - I follow CrawlSpace on twitter but never saw that tweet, great share, so appropriate!

Peach :slight_smile: [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102395[/import]

#17

Few simple programming tricks like IAP JSON server side validation and own file control access for paid apps ( LuaFileSystem - http://keplerproject.github.com/luafilesystem/manual.html ) can easy cut off most of JB pirates who use tools to crack apps nad IAP.
You don’t stop true cracker but they comes when your app is very popular.

Do you think your app isn’t cracked? Just use google - Appname ipa - will show you how deep the rabbit hole goes :slight_smile:

80-90% users goes for pirated version! [import]uid: 12704 topic_id: 25303 reply_id: 102410[/import]