Do IAPS hurt downloads?

JScott · March 2016

Hi everyone, just wondering if people have experience with adding an IAP to an existing game, and if it had any effect on downloads?
I have a free game with a couple of interstitial ads, and downloads are pretty steady. I personally prefer games with no IAP's so often skip them on the app store. So, I've tried not to use them in my own game.
However, I'd like to include an option of turning off the ads in my game, and an IAP seems the simplest way to do that. My hesitation is that once it's labeled with the IAP designation, my game will be seen as just another Freemium or pay to win type game, and DLs will drop.
Any thoughts appreciated!

Dues · March 2016

Always hard to say, but in general I don't think people care too much. They just want the game to be free.
There are however alot of people that stay away from games that offer IAP but if you look at the amount of downloads popular freemium games get I don't think it will make any difference for you. It also depends on what audience you are targeting.

jamie_c · March 2016

My hesitation is that once it's labeled with the IAP designation, my game will be seen as just another Freemium or pay to win type game, and DLs will drop.

You might consider two versions of the game. One free with ads and one paid with no ads. You can make it clear in the descriptions and title the difference and never have to use IAP's.

BigDave · March 2016

i even experienced increases in downloads after adding a couple of new in-apps
if they are exciting to them I guess.

JScott · March 2016

Thanks for the comments guys. Still unsure which way to go. Guess I'll have to take the plunge and see the results!

JScott · March 2016

Bump to see if anyone else has experience with this!

Do IAPS hurt downloads?

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