News

Mecho Wars iPhone developer Luc Bernard says paid iPhone DLC is 'raping the customer'

Down with this sort of thing

Mecho Wars iPhone developer Luc Bernard says paid iPhone DLC is 'raping the customer'
|
| Mecho Wars

The iPhone 3.0 update brought with it a whole host of new and exciting features but arguably the most important element from a developer’s point of view was the ability to wring even more cash out of gamers via micro transactions.

However, one notable figure not in favour of additional paid-for content is Oyaji Games head Luc Bernard. Speaking exclusively to Pocket Gamer, he’s voiced his opinion on the practice and finds it all a bit exploitative.

“I keep on seeing all this talk about paid-for DLC on the App Store,” he says. “I honestly don't like it. When I buy a game I want to have everything in there for the price I paid.”

Never being one to make such comments idly, Bernard cites his own company’s latest release - Mecho Wars - as an example of how things should be done.

As we reported last week, Oyaji is releasing an update for the game which enables online play, as well as introducing a whole raft of other new features. Cost to those who have already splashed out on the game? Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

“We could have made the online portion of the game an in-app micro transaction but I think that would be raping the customer,” Bernard says.

“I honestly don't believe in paid-for DLC on the App Store. Most of the top games are 99 cents games so the average iPhone customer is obviously not willing to spend a lot of cash on games. To be honest, I would rather have a fresh new experience than loads of additional content.”

Damien  McFerran
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.