If you thought that the Apple Tax was already bad on iPhones, get ready for even more trouble. In a new development, Apple is making iOS games cost more than they already do.
Are iOS games more expensive than Android games?
After years of almost-equality between Android and iOS prices, Apple has revealed plans to increase the prices of iOS games. Targeting traditional purchases and in-game microtransactions, every facet of iPhone gaming is about to get more expensive.
Via Apple’s official website, “the price of apps and in-app purchases (excluding auto-renewable subscriptions) on the Apple App Store will increase”. However, they will not be more expensive in every region.
Currently, the new price mandate only hinders “Chile, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Vietnam”. Additionally, all countries that use the Euro as its currency will have to deal with the price increase.
Developers of iOS games can choose to help customers for the time being. Gamers who are on active subscriptions may still be able to pay their old subscription price. However, this is up the behest of individual developers.
Why are the prices increasing?
Apple did not give a reason for the almost worldwide increase in prices across iOS software. However, with the ongoing cost of living crisis and inflation across major markets, it seems that Apple is simply following trends.
However, it’s telling that the company is not increasing prices in two of its major markets: the United States and the United Kingdom. With US and UK consumers buying less smartphones every year, Apple is seemingly attempting to not irk potential consumers further.
Hopefully, this inflation will only hit iOS games. Unfortunately, it is likely that Android games will also suffer from similar inflation in the coming months as well.
