If you are looking for a prime example of freemium business models seeping into the mainstream market, then look no further than EA's latest version of Tetris on iOS.

Although not known for its use of in-app purchases, the reinvisioned game comes with IAP features, accessed as you purchase T-Coins, with packs ranging from the standard 99c to $99.99.

Equally significant is these are also used to sign up to the Tetris fanclub, a subscription service dubbed T-Club. Options include $2.99 for a month's access or $29.99 for annual membership.

Membership, which operates through EA's Origin service, will give access to "exclusive discounts and content, premium Tetris Log challenges, and a booster to progress your Tetris Rank faster."

Tetris Log tracks your lifetime accumulated 'lines cleared' across multiple mobile devices, giving you a global Tetris ranking number.

Ka-ching

"We are always looking for new ways for our fans to play Tetris and this new mobile version makes a revolutionary addition to the Tetris family of games," said Henk Rogers, managing director of The Tetris Company.

The game itself comes at the standalone price of 99c, but EA is clearly looking squarely at the fast growing business of IAPs and subscription for greater cash flow.

A similar attempt to run a subscription service on iOS from casual gaming company Big Fish was pulled by Apple, but with EA running its version as a discreet one-off IAP purchase rather than a recurring purchase, it doesn't break Apple's terms and conditions.

[source: Business Wire]