> Apple, as gatekeeper had (has?) the opportunity to fix this.
Why would it be in Apple's interests to prohibit micro transactions in games? On the contrary, they do make a 30% cut of the sales, don't they?
Even if Apple did change their policy, there's still Google, Amazon, Russian Yandex and Chinese app stores that do allow this. If Apple (or anyone else) disallows this, the game publishers will release their stuff on the markets that do allow IAPs.
> Apple has a noose of very bad karma around it's neck because of this.
Only some gamers complain, this isn't really hurting Apple's image as a whole enough to make them take action.
I'm guessing this phenomenon will die by itself given some time. Gamers and parents are already revolting. When more parents will prevent their kids from using their credit cards, a (major?) part of the money supply will run dry and the game publishers will have to come up with other business models.
"Essentially, we're back to where we were with video arcades, before consoles at home gave us unlimited play."
you just nailed it... most of these companies executives were alive in the time of arcades... they all LOVED the play per quarter model. Most of the big companies have backdoors into Vegas gambling as well... keep you pulling that lever.. that's their BUSINESS. The idea that you played the games for just one bit of money was always a temporary thing.
They should not be listed as free games. Free games should be listed as demos.
In-app purchasing should be limited to unlocking discrete chunks of game-play... not 'coins'.
There should be a way to buy the game outright instead of freemium.
Essentially, we're back to where we were with video arcades, before consoles at home gave us unlimited play.
Video arcades died... Freemium games need to die too.
Apple has a noose of very bad karma around it's neck because of this.