Very Real “Pay Once and Play” App Store Category Takes a Swipe at Freemium Games

Pay for a game once and then own it and play as much as you want! It’s the revolution we’ve all been waiting for! I can’t believe no one came up with this sooner—wait.

Mobile game makers have long been trying to bring back the magic of the arcade by charging people for features in games they already own. Instead of buying a game outright, many games are now pay-as-you-go experiences in what is probably the last part of the ’80s that anyone wanted back.

Now Apple is taking a stand with their new “pay once and play” App Store showcase which features great games you can pay for up front and then play to your heart’s content. Of course, these games already existed, but Apple has put them front and center in the App Store’s Featured section with a very “tell us how you really feel” text description:

Enjoy hours of uninterrupted fun with complete experiences spanning the App Store’s most beloved genres. Packed with thrills and unforgettable moments, these powerhouse games belong in every collection.

So if you want to try some games that aren’t trying to squeeze you for every last quarter you’ve got like the frustratingly unfair arcade machines of your youth, you now know exactly where to look.

(via Forbes, image via screenshot)

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Dan Van Winkle

Dan Van Winkle (he) is an editor and manager who has been working in digital media since 2013, first at now-defunct Geekosystem (RIP), and then at The Mary Sue starting in 2014, specializing in gaming, science, and technology. Outside of his professional experience, he has been active in video game modding and development as a hobby for many years. He lives in North Carolina with Lisa Brown (his wife) and Liz Lemon (their dog), both of whom are the best, and you will regret challenging him at Smash Bros.

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