12 ms·

Does no one here play arcade games? Okay granted In-App purchases are generally more than 25-50 cents or the 1-2$ it costs these days at your local AMC, but I

Does no one here play arcade games? Okay granted In-App purchases are generally more than 25-50 cents or the 1-2$ it costs these days at your local AMC, but I don't think it's disappointing in the slightest (and pretty predictable if you look at gaming history) that many people prefer to throw a few bucks a week at a casual game vs. spending $60 on something that might sit on the shelf. Though, I'm more a Clash of Clans guy...

kristianp 12y ago
As a sample, how much do you spend on Clans? It seems hard to find people who will admit they make in-app purchases. I play simcity buildit and I'm not tempted to buy things, I find it a challenge to get by without purchases. I can imagine as time goes by that games will get less playable without the purchases.
- on_and_off 12y ago
  same thing here. I played some PvZ2 without buying anything. A pity, I would have easily paid 7$ for it as a full game(I know I must be in a minority though). The new content pack (beach themed) seems to focus on arcade like experience where you need to pay some credits in order to advance. At that point I just stopped playing.
- christoph 12y ago
  I have spent a total of £15 on it, in around 18 months. I bought 2 builders near the very start. Then I got frustrated with slow progress about 12 months ago and hit buy on some gems to speed things up. The first purchase I never regretted. The second I regretted almost straight away and promised myself never to buy/spend anymore. I got a brief glimmer of a future filled with regret looking at how much I would pouring into the game regularly and decided to not walk that path. I still play occasionally play (been on TH9 for a long long time), but it's pretty much open it in the morning, collect elixir/gold, refill traps & xbows, donate troops to clan members, spend anything I've accumulated (probably once a fortnight now). It's more of a habit than anything and frankly one I'm glad I don't spend any money or serious time on.
  - saipenguin 12y ago
    I am definitely more inclined to consider a purchase when t's a permanent effect. In a couple games you could buy a permanent double your coins effect. That felt like me actually purchasing the game, considering everything before it a hobbled demo. Things where could straight purchase in game currency or timer refreshes feel more like extortion. But I suppose I'm not the demographic.
- Fomite 12y ago
  I've probably spent $15 on in-app purchases for Space Hulk, and likely more than that for Warhammer Quest. They're closer to DLC than they are to "Insert coin to do more" purchases though.
- parasubvert 12y ago
  I spend about $5-10 a week on Clans. It varies depending on my level of patience. What I like about Clans is that spending money has to do with speeding things up. If you're obsessed, you'll spend a lot of money, if you're treating it casually, not so much. When I want a solid hour or two of gameplay, I'll throw in $5.
  - DanBC 12y ago
    HN should introduce a "Reply now? That's only 5 HN dollars!" option. Money for the month goes to some good cause or other, decided by HN. If you chose not to reply you have to wait 5 mins.
    - vxNsr 12y ago
      That's actually not a bad idea for hot button threads like the firefox CEO one a year ago, it would've forced ppl to think a lot more before replying and kept the discourse at a higher level (bec most ppl would've either waited or not replied at all and those who would pay wouldn't waste their $5 to call someone they never met a bigot or whatever). Though for where the donation goes it'd probably be best to keep it rotating between non-political causes like Red Cross, AA, etc.
- ripter 12y ago
  Most games I never make in-app purchases. But if the game is fun, and the in-app purchase makes sense, I'll pay. Hearthstone, Zombie Farm Battles are examples of games I play all the time, so I don't mind spending a few bucks here and there. I probably spend ten to twenty every few months.
taocoyote 12y ago
Interesting point. I am embarrassed to say that in the early 90's I would spend on average around 1000$ USD a month on arcade games.

kristianp 12y ago

As a sample, how much do you spend on Clans? It seems hard to find people who will admit they make in-app purchases. I play simcity buildit and I'm not tempted to buy things, I find it a challenge to get by without purchases. I can imagine as time goes by that games will get less playable without the purchases.

on_and_off 12y ago
same thing here. I played some PvZ2 without buying anything. A pity, I would have easily paid 7$ for it as a full game(I know I must be in a minority though). The new content pack (beach themed) seems to focus on arcade like experience where you need to pay some credits in order to advance. At that point I just stopped playing.
christoph 12y ago
I have spent a total of £15 on it, in around 18 months. I bought 2 builders near the very start. Then I got frustrated with slow progress about 12 months ago and hit buy on some gems to speed things up. The first purchase I never regretted. The second I regretted almost straight away and promised myself never to buy/spend anymore. I got a brief glimmer of a future filled with regret looking at how much I would pouring into the game regularly and decided to not walk that path. I still play occasionally play (been on TH9 for a long long time), but it's pretty much open it in the morning, collect elixir/gold, refill traps & xbows, donate troops to clan members, spend anything I've accumulated (probably once a fortnight now). It's more of a habit than anything and frankly one I'm glad I don't spend any money or serious time on.
- saipenguin 12y ago
  I am definitely more inclined to consider a purchase when t's a permanent effect. In a couple games you could buy a permanent double your coins effect. That felt like me actually purchasing the game, considering everything before it a hobbled demo. Things where could straight purchase in game currency or timer refreshes feel more like extortion. But I suppose I'm not the demographic.
Fomite 12y ago
I've probably spent $15 on in-app purchases for Space Hulk, and likely more than that for Warhammer Quest. They're closer to DLC than they are to "Insert coin to do more" purchases though.
parasubvert 12y ago
I spend about $5-10 a week on Clans. It varies depending on my level of patience. What I like about Clans is that spending money has to do with speeding things up. If you're obsessed, you'll spend a lot of money, if you're treating it casually, not so much. When I want a solid hour or two of gameplay, I'll throw in $5.
- DanBC 12y ago
  HN should introduce a "Reply now? That's only 5 HN dollars!" option. Money for the month goes to some good cause or other, decided by HN. If you chose not to reply you have to wait 5 mins.
  - vxNsr 12y ago
    That's actually not a bad idea for hot button threads like the firefox CEO one a year ago, it would've forced ppl to think a lot more before replying and kept the discourse at a higher level (bec most ppl would've either waited or not replied at all and those who would pay wouldn't waste their $5 to call someone they never met a bigot or whatever). Though for where the donation goes it'd probably be best to keep it rotating between non-political causes like Red Cross, AA, etc.
ripter 12y ago
Most games I never make in-app purchases. But if the game is fun, and the in-app purchase makes sense, I'll pay. Hearthstone, Zombie Farm Battles are examples of games I play all the time, so I don't mind spending a few bucks here and there. I probably spend ten to twenty every few months.

taocoyote 12y ago

Interesting point. I am embarrassed to say that in the early 90's I would spend on average around 1000$ USD a month on arcade games.