Apple raises price of UK Apps across the board meaning 59 is now 69, dudes

Here in the UK, we've got used to the '59p' lowest price point for apps. It's cosy and familiar. But suddenly, it's gone. Snatched away by Apple in the name of makinginternational pricing more equal for all concerned. US prices are unchanged, lucky Australian gamers now pay less (after paying roughly a third more for everything compared to the US until now) and Switzerland are 10% better off. However, in the UK, this means that the traditional, much-loved£0.59 for the lowest-priced paid app has risen to £0.69.

Above: To paraphrase Chuck De Nomolos: "I hate them. I hate the Apple versions of them"

Seriously, though, while the price hike is pretty high as a percentage, it's only keeping things more fair across the globe. Here are the international rates for the lowest tiers:

UK: £0.59 -> £0.69
Australia: AU$1.19 -> AU$0.99
Japan: 115 -> 85 Yen
Mexico: $10 -> $12
Switzerland: 1.10Fr -> 1.00Fr
Norway: 6.00Kr -> 7.00Kr

And the UK tiers with their new equivalents (don't ask us why £2.99 remains unchanged)

59p is now 69p
£1.19 now £1.49
£1.79 now £1.99
£2.39 now £2.49
£2.99 still £2.99
£3.49 now £3.99
£3.99 now £4.99
£4.99 now £5.49
£5.49 now £5.99
£5.99 now £6.99
£6.99 now £7.99
£7.49 now £8.99
£8.99 now £10.49
£9.49 now £10.99

On the flipside, however, developers will love the new pricing structurebecause it means they'll get more money from each sale - Apple's 30% cut of sales revenue remains the same. And that 10p isn't so bad, is it? You're still getting great versions of games that sell for some £30 on other consoles for a matter of pennies.

Although I appreciatethe cost from all thoseextra pennies all adds app (groan).

14 July, 2011

That's a move that's only going to please two people...

Above: To paraphrase Chuck De Nomolos: "I hate them. I hate the Apple versions of them"

Seriously, though, while the price hike is pretty high as a percentage, it's only keeping things more fair across the globe. Here are the international rates for the lowest tiers:

UK: £0.59 -> £0.69
Australia: AU$1.19 -> AU$0.99
Japan: 115 -> 85 Yen
Mexico: $10 -> $12
Switzerland: 1.10Fr -> 1.00Fr
Norway: 6.00Kr -> 7.00Kr

And the UK tiers with their new equivalents (don't ask us why £2.99 remains unchanged)

Although I appreciatethe cost from all thoseextra pennies all adds app (groan).

14 July, 2011

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.