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]
News
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
Related Articles
Top Stories
News
Jun 9th, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Mobile Games E15 - Star Wars: Hunters finally launches, the West's MOBA problem, and Xbox handheld rumours
News
Jun 7th, 2024
Week in Views - The hunt for the new Star Wars game, Xbox goes handheld, and cats versus monsters…
News
Jun 7th, 2024
Week in Views - The hunt for the new Star Wars game, Xbox goes handheld, and cats versus monsters…
News
Jun 7th, 2024
Metacore's Teppo Soininen: “Anybody who has put a game into soft launch knows there’s still plenty of space for f*ck ups.”
Events
Tribeca Games Festival 2024 | North America | Jun 5th |
Steam Next Fest: June 2024 Edition | Jun 10th | |
GamesForum Hamburg 2024 | Europe | Jun 11th |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
ESI London 2024 | Europe | Jun 13th |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Game Con Canada (GCC) 2024 | North America | Jun 14th |
Indie Dev Play 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |