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With the design of the search and the choice of titles that they push on the App Store editorially, I don't think it looks like they're trying to avoid gambling

With the design of the search and the choice of titles that they push on the App Store editorially, I don't think it looks like they're trying to avoid gambling-type behavior at all. If they were responsible about it they would allow you to set preferences to filter out titles which have IAP. Also it would be granular; you could configure so you can see or not: 1) Titles which have one-time IAP for permanent feature unlocks. 2) Titles which have set-price recurring subscription IAP. 3) These are the evil ones (not universally so, but unbridled they are. I agree with the general conclusion of Kongregate's CEO as summarized in the article linked for this overarching discussion.) These should even have some sort of account lock-out that's harder to override available: Titles which have some sort of endless in-app currency. For those last ones, it would also be responsible of them to have it so you can setup with an account-level monthly budget which has, say, a 24-hour minimum cooldown to override. Otherwise, yes, they are basically encouraging addiction just like casinos and probably ought to be regulated as such since they're not self-policing at all.

easygenes 5y ago
Also, I think there's something to be said for scale and context when it comes to regulation of this sort of marketing. Another poster here put it quite succinctly saying, I'm paraphrasing, "You don't expect them selling guns at the candy store." So the App Store is something which a large subset of the global population has shoved in it's face, just for having a phone; which society expects of them. It's not people seeking out a "gambling-type" experience. There's a greater onus of care to be a responsible player. I guess then they'd sell less of the self-help and counseling apps on the store too though.
easygenes 5y ago
Another thing which would be a responsible play by Apple: For those unlimited-in-app-currency purchases, have a no-questions-asked automatic refund process which is available for 30 days after purchase and causes the app to be either permanently removed from your library or made unavailable for reinstall for a minimum of 90 days (and perhaps all other apps with unlimited in-app currency). This would show Apple's commitment to avoiding encouraging regrettable addictive behavior on their platform.
easygenes 5y ago
A responsible Apple would also push these features editorially on the App Store. They'd write up articles about how they encourage responsible spending and have features to help you navigate the App Store and IAP responsibly. Perhaps the default experience would include features like: 1) The first time you spend more than $100 cumulative on IAP for Endless-IAP type items, a popup with a link to an article about available spending controls comes along with it. 2) You get a similar reminder every additional time you cumulatively spend $100 on IAP for Endless-IAP type items (across the whole App Store). This could be disabled, of course. 3) A more urgent reminder comes up at the $1,000 cumulative mark. It encourages setting an account-level monthly budget. It takes more work to disable.

easygenes 5y ago

Also, I think there's something to be said for scale and context when it comes to regulation of this sort of marketing. Another poster here put it quite succinctly saying, I'm paraphrasing, "You don't expect them selling guns at the candy store." So the App Store is something which a large subset of the global population has shoved in it's face, just for having a phone; which society expects of them. It's not people seeking out a "gambling-type" experience. There's a greater onus of care to be a responsible player. I guess then they'd sell less of the self-help and counseling apps on the store too though.

easygenes 5y ago

Another thing which would be a responsible play by Apple: For those unlimited-in-app-currency purchases, have a no-questions-asked automatic refund process which is available for 30 days after purchase and causes the app to be either permanently removed from your library or made unavailable for reinstall for a minimum of 90 days (and perhaps all other apps with unlimited in-app currency). This would show Apple's commitment to avoiding encouraging regrettable addictive behavior on their platform.

easygenes 5y ago

A responsible Apple would also push these features editorially on the App Store. They'd write up articles about how they encourage responsible spending and have features to help you navigate the App Store and IAP responsibly. Perhaps the default experience would include features like: 1) The first time you spend more than $100 cumulative on IAP for Endless-IAP type items, a popup with a link to an article about available spending controls comes along with it. 2) You get a similar reminder every additional time you cumulatively spend $100 on IAP for Endless-IAP type items (across the whole App Store). This could be disabled, of course. 3) A more urgent reminder comes up at the $1,000 cumulative mark. It encourages setting an account-level monthly budget. It takes more work to disable.