THIS.šŸ‘‡šŸ» Every single time my kids ask me if I can download a game for them, all I want to do is see what kind of in-app purchases it has. That information needs to be better organized and more prominently displayed.

Quoting @atomicbird: https://mastodon.social/@atomicbird/109684430167299018

@bhansmeyer @atomicbird Same! And for the exact same reason.
@bhansmeyer @atomicbird Agreed! I try and keep my subscriptions in check because I’m not in a ā€œmoney is no objectā€ phase of my life, so I like to know what I’m getting myself into before I try the app out.

@bhansmeyer @atomicbird @NateBarham agreed. Not just kids I don’t mind an app having them or subscriptions but would be better up front. Especially subscription apps if it said free with ā€œsubs starting from Ā£x per monthā€

It’s a product of the race to the bottom that happened to the App Store but now everything seems to be free to play but is really pay to win and exploiting children and parents without their eye on the ball

@bhansmeyer @atomicbird 100% apple is hiding this on purpose. They make too much from the horrible subscriptions on garbage apps. Making the in apps easy to see and tell that apps are effectively scams would make them take a hit on that sweet sweet services revenue.
@bhansmeyer @atomicbird 100% agree! Also, pro-tip for anyone that doesn't know. Tap "In-App Purchases" on the app details screen to get a list of the prices. If there are 50 different ways to buy in app currency, RUN!
@bhansmeyer @atomicbird My one child knows that I won't download something if it has IAP. They've even said "I want this but it has in app purchases" lol

@bhansmeyer @atomicbird

Yes! This is absolutely a must.

Although I think it is very rare for a game to have an in-app purchase that isn’t exploitative. There are a rare few games where you can buy extra levels but almost all other games have something to do with ā€œgemsā€.

@bhansmeyer @atomicbird I’m really thankful for app privacy report cards, too. No reason for a game to have my location data or personally identifying information.
@bhansmeyer @atomicbird I think I’ve finally trained my kids that I’ll only say yes to a game if it’s Apple Arcade (no scammy IAPs)

@bhansmeyer @atomicbird it's so hidden that I'd never even noticed it

This can't be an accident. If the big costs were up front, fewer people who'd download it (and this be on the way to paying)

I want Apple to be more transparent than this

@bhansmeyer @atomicbird And even then it often displays lots of unused IAPs so you can’t clearly work out what the app costs.
@bhansmeyer @atomicbird Also for developers of apps with non-scammy IAPs, would be nice to be more "up-front" about what the IAPs are.

@bhansmeyer @atomicbird @marcoarment Agree…but:

It’s not *that* hard to find. Yes, it should be easier, but once you know where it is it’s right there.

It needs be more clear. Others have mentioned how inscrutable this section is.

And app privacy is (to me) more important but not by much.

If the app shares my data, or if the IAPs are difficult to understand/ridiculous I just don’t need that app. 15 seconds or less to decide.

Support good developers by paying for good apps though. Do it!

@bhansmeyer @atomicbird I would love a metric on how often it’s going to try to get my kid to buy something. You can have whatever in-apps you want if you leave me alone.
Some of the Roblox worlds are very demanding of cash.
@bhansmeyer this is why my kids only get Apple arcade games. No IAP, and game play has to be suited to non casino like psychology.

@bhansmeyer @atomicbird @ksbex I have long wanted two basic indicators:
- This app is useless without a subscription
- If you do not subscribe, the free version does the following:

Some apps are doorstops if you aren't paying, and some have a few features. Can't you just tell me up front? I have a use case but it might not be the one your app can fit.