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Ask HN: Will Apple ever reject apps with unethical in-app purchase schemes?
I teach high school, and I watch otherwise reasonable students sink significant money into silly click-bait games. Their eyes open a bit when I objectively help them understand how they are being manipulated. They laugh a bit, and then go right back to playing the games.
Do you think Apple will ever reject apps that have abusive in-app purchase schemes? It would mean turning away from a lot of money in the short term, but it might be a smart move if these games are likely to create a really strong backlash anyway.
- 6thSigma 13y agoCare to elaborate on the unethical schemes you are referencing?
- japhyr 13y agoThe Zynga model of game design, which most of us are familiar with. The model where players are just being steered towards in-app-purchases, rather than towards interesting or challenging game play.
- ishansharma 13y agoWhile you are spot on, and I agree with you, I don't think that Apple will ever do anything like that. There are various problems with defining "ethical". Lot of people are paying for these games, so it is completely ethical for us. As far as I know, all this does not matter to anyone except us. We are already at higher end of tech spectrum and know how stuff works. For children or old people, that is normal. So I don't think Apple will ever do that. Not to forget that it is quite profitable as well.
- ericcumbee 13y ago"A fool and his money are soon parted" being in high school = Fool They will either learn one day, or just wont get it.
- ig1 13y agoHow would you even define such a rule ? - I doubt you could get a common consensus on where the ethical line is.
- calbear81 13y agoAre virtual goods inherently unethical? I think it's hard to judge how someone wants to spend their money and to assume that the value they derive from a game is not worth the money they are spending. After all, are they not entertained and is there not a price for that?