Developers on the App Store can now give away in-app purchases using promo codes, with EA's Real Racing 3 the first game to make use of the apparent rule change.
While Apple is yet to publish any statement regarding this shift in approach, 148Apps.com editor Jeff Scott spotted EA was in the process of giving away redeemable codes for a “Handful of Gold” in-app purchase as part of a promotion, worth $1.99.
The code can be utilised even if the user in question doesn't own the game, with the App Store automatically installing the title on the consumer's device once it has been applied.
Opening up
Developers have long been able to give away promo codes for paid games – a particularly useful tool when it comes to getting code in the hands of early testers, or pushing the title out for review.
The addition of codes for in-app purchases should grease these wheels further, even though Apple's own developer guide is yet to reflect any change.
Indeed, it's currently unclear as to whether this is change lobbied for by (and currently only available to) EA, or if Real Racing 3 is simply the first game to make use of the new approach.
We've reached out to Apple for further clarification.
UPDATE: iOS developers are informing us this new feature is currently not available to them, suggesting Real Racing 3 is being used as a test case before a wider roll out across the ecosystem.
