Two separate apps (paid and free) or free with in-app unlock?

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

Hi there,

I’m about to publish my first game, but I’m wondering wether to just release one version, and allow in-app unlocking of the full (and ad-free) version, or release two separate apps.

Two questions:

  1. Which option is considered best nowadays?
  2. If I release two versions (paid and free), do I and Apple treat these as completely separate apps on iTunes Connect or is there some sort of link between them that identifies them as related versions?

thanks,
Thomas [import]uid: 70134 topic_id: 19704 reply_id: 319704[/import]

#2

There is no “best”. Developers continue to use both options. I personally use the one version with in-app unlocking.

If you release two versions, they are separate apps on iTunes Connect. There is no link between them, though Apple will be able to figure it out based on the names. If you’d like a link between the two, you can do that as well by adding a link in the free version that goes to download the paid one. [import]uid: 36054 topic_id: 19704 reply_id: 76224[/import]

#3

I tend to gravitate towards the in-app unlocking myself as well. I kind of like one app with more total views than two separate apps with less views each.

However, how do you let reviewers review the full game then? I was thinking about some sort of secret key-combo that I could hand over to reviewers, but then again, I wouldn’t want these to leak.

Oh the choices! :slight_smile:

thx,
Thomas [import]uid: 70134 topic_id: 19704 reply_id: 76228[/import]

#4

Serious reviewers will accept an adhoc version of your app that has been unlocked for their device identifier(s) [import]uid: 36054 topic_id: 19704 reply_id: 76230[/import]

#5

Or just send them a redeem code!

Joakim [import]uid: 81188 topic_id: 19704 reply_id: 76257[/import]

#6

Does in app purchase model (also said freemium) involve encryption? I do not know how to work out the “US compliance rule” requested by the App Store then. Any help? Thanks in advance.

One other question: I only have one iPod touch 4g and cannot connect to the internet wifi. There is a way to implement and test in app purchases by using X-code simulator? Thanks again.
EDIT: ok just submitted one “lite”, free version (levels 1 and 2 out of 8) of my game. That’s the simplest I can do. [import]uid: 67641 topic_id: 19704 reply_id: 76265[/import]

#7

No it does not. It’s an Apple controlled feature. If your app involves encryption, you’d know.

Just run in the xCode simulator. I believe that works with IAP code. [import]uid: 36054 topic_id: 19704 reply_id: 76470[/import]

#8

The in-app purchase idea is the best going forward as then you only have to maintain one version of your app [import]uid: 84637 topic_id: 19704 reply_id: 76487[/import]