If there was one game that bore the brunt of the recent controversy surrounding in-app purchase systems, Capcom's Smurfs' Village was that title.
Its success ensured it was the focus from parents who claimed their children had unknowingly amassed huge bills by paying for the game's in-app items of choice Smurfberries that alerted the attention of the press to begin with.
In quick time, Apple addressed such concerns by requiring users to input their password for any IAPs, even if they were already in the standard 15 minute log in period.
Damage limitation
However, that wasn't before the company reportedly clashed with Capcom itself.
A well placed source informed PocketGamer.biz at the time that Apple had told the publisher 'in no uncertain terms' that customer complaints levelled at Smurfs' Village simply weren't acceptable something Capcom later refuted.
The publisher might have been reluctant to admit there was a problem to begin with, but it's still taken steps to ensure Smurfs' Village isn't the subject of negative headlines in the future.
As detailed over on Pocket Gamer, the latest update to the game includes a new cap, which prevents players from downloading more than five items via in-app purchases within a 15 minute period.
While the combination of Apple's refreshed IAP rules and Capcom's self-imposed cap doesn't rule out the possibility of users paying for goods without realising, it does make such occurrences far less likely, and severely limits their impact if and when they do happen.
A mobile view
Capcom naturally has much to gain in keeping Smurfs' Village in consumers' good books.
The firm recently cited both it and other social releases as one of its keys successes in 2010. Combined with Zombie Cafe and Lil' Pirates, Smurfs' Village has enjoyed downloads of more than 15 million across North America and Europe.
The publisher has also launched a new social mobile games unit Beeline Interactive, which will look to mirror Capcom's success in the home console and portable markets in the mobile field.
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Top Stories
News
7 hours, 48 minutes ago
Week in Views - Squads busted, Apple crushed, War zoned and Snoozin' with the Snorlax…
News
7 hours, 48 minutes ago
Week in Views - Squads busted, Apple crushed, War zoned and Snoozin' with the Snorlax…
Feature
9 hours ago
Speaker Spotlight: Dubai Future Foundation's Faisal Kazim on leading Dubai's gaming charge
Events
Esports Future Summit | Middle East | Apr 27th |
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Popular Stories
News
Apr 23rd, 2024
Supercell’s Squad Busters soft launches today with over 100,000 Google Play downloads
Feature
Apr 24th, 2024