Anticipated iOS RPG Infinity Blade goes for $5.99 price-to-volume sweetspot

During the final session of the Develop Liverpool conference last week, there was an interesting discussion concerning the potential pricing of Epic Games and Chair Entertainment's action RPG Infinity Blade.

Raised by one of the Xbox developer relations team, the crux was the game provided a crucial opportunity for developers of very high end console-style iOS games to push the price point over the $10 mark, and create a new premium mindset for the platform.

At that point, Epic had refused to comment on the subject, but only a couple of days later, Infinity Blade - a universal app - has now been confirmed as a reasonable $5.99, €4.99 or £3.99.

It will be released on December 9.

Of course, pricing is always relative. Indeed, one established hardcore gaming site has already suggested, "It'll take a slice out of your wallet".

In the real world however, it's clear Epic could have launched successfully at a much higher price, such is the anticipation surrounding the title.

Instead, it's decided to maximise the volume of mid-price sales, despite the game only supporting third and fourth generation iOS devices - a more wealthy segment in terms of user demographics.

Another consideration for the company is likely to be the marketing impact of the title's widespread success in terms of boosting its Unreal Engine 3 licensing business, which has been extended to iOS devices.

Still, at least, it's three or four times higher than the 99c/$1.99 at which rival FPS studio id Software launched its iPhone/iPad shooter Rage/Rage HD.