Q about IAP to upgrade full game

[Appvism]

Hi,

I am looking to implement a one-off non consumable IAP for my current game, but have a question regarding the general logic/logistics of this (at the “app level” rather than code specific)…

For my game, the game is free to play for the first, say, 20 times. I save this value locally with the app (using the “preference module”). So when the flag runs down to 0, a screen pops up instead of the main game to inform the player to purchase this IAP in order to upgrade the game for unlimited play.

My question is because this is saved locally, whenever the player deletes the app and then re-installs it, the flag is reset back to 20 (or at least, that’s what i imagine would happen). So, does this not mean, theoretically, someone can just keep on deleting/reinstalling to play the game without ever purchasing the IAP? How do/would you get round this?

I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear, this is the first time I am attempting to implement IAPs into my game (and even then, its just a single non-consumable one). Coding the IAPs, and testing it, feels a lot of hassle tbh!

Anyway, thanks for any feedback!

Cheers,

[ec2]

Yes, you’re right, deleting & reinstalling would defeat the limitation.  Freemium games generally don’t limit by time (e.g. 1 week) or number of plays.  Instead, they only allow you to play a limited number of levels, then you need to buy the IAP to get more levels.

[Danny]

I think the best way to do this would be via a system where it uploads the play count to a server along with the device id (or something similar).

You could then check against that value upon an initial app startup and see if they have any “plays” remaining.

[Appvism]

@ec2

Yes, you’re right, deleting & reinstalling would defeat the limitation.  Freemium games generally don’t limit by time (e.g. 1 week) or number of plays.  Instead, they only allow you to play a limited number of levels, then you need to buy the IAP to get more levels.

Thanks for your input, hmm maybe i should try a different approach - or just leave it and let people uninstall/install if they want!..

@Danny

I think the best way to do this would be via a system where it uploads the play count to a server along with the device id (or something similar).

You could then check against that value upon an initial app startup and see if they have any “plays” remaining.

Yeah, this was something I would like to do if i knew how!.. I don’t think i can implement such a solution.

I might need to either try something else (consumable lives maybe?) or just leave it as it is and let people re-download the game should they wish. Actually, if i leave things as they are, do i still need a restore button/function??

Cheers,

[ec2]

Yes, you’re right, deleting & reinstalling would defeat the limitation.  Freemium games generally don’t limit by time (e.g. 1 week) or number of plays.  Instead, they only allow you to play a limited number of levels, then you need to buy the IAP to get more levels.

[Danny]

I think the best way to do this would be via a system where it uploads the play count to a server along with the device id (or something similar).

You could then check against that value upon an initial app startup and see if they have any “plays” remaining.

[Appvism]

@ec2

Yes, you’re right, deleting & reinstalling would defeat the limitation.  Freemium games generally don’t limit by time (e.g. 1 week) or number of plays.  Instead, they only allow you to play a limited number of levels, then you need to buy the IAP to get more levels.

Thanks for your input, hmm maybe i should try a different approach - or just leave it and let people uninstall/install if they want!..

@Danny

I think the best way to do this would be via a system where it uploads the play count to a server along with the device id (or something similar).

You could then check against that value upon an initial app startup and see if they have any “plays” remaining.

Yeah, this was something I would like to do if i knew how!.. I don’t think i can implement such a solution.

I might need to either try something else (consumable lives maybe?) or just leave it as it is and let people re-download the game should they wish. Actually, if i leave things as they are, do i still need a restore button/function??

Cheers,