I bought a game. It has been awhile since I did that. Buying a game is nothing special, but the way it happened concerns me.
The game dev storyI had to buy a new smartphone to test the first version of my own game. I was still playing with a 5 year old samsung smartphone you know. Since the new thingy, playing games om the smartphone seems more fun to do. So I bumped into this game dev story. I have heard from this game before but somehow it never got my real attention. Until now. |
So I downloaded the lite version first and it's damn fun!
The game is loaded in a instant, the cute characters, the leveling, the rewards, the fans. It didn't took me long to decide that I wanted the full version. It's only 1,88 EURO and that for all the hours of fun. It's damn worth it.
The game is loaded in a instant, the cute characters, the leveling, the rewards, the fans. It didn't took me long to decide that I wanted the full version. It's only 1,88 EURO and that for all the hours of fun. It's damn worth it.
Anyway, I was looking for ways to play and buy the game dev story on my laptop. I had my own maestro bank card with me. After some searching and some clicks I realised that google play was the only way to buy the game for my smartphone.
Most of you know how this goes, you just hit buy. Click, click, buy, buy, yes, yes let me use my credit card so I can buy the game!
And suddenly "Your game will be downloaded as soon as you start you device."
Wait what!?
They didn't ask me how I want to pay, they didn't ask any code. What the hell is this?
I know that you don't need to give a code for your visa, so your money is only protected by your google password. Just a few clicks and away goes your money.
Yes I wanted that game and yes it's only 1,88 EURO but still I'm feeling ripped off.
I'm stunned that you can spend money that easely. No wonder that you read these stories where kids suddenly spend thousands of dollars on a game without the parents knowing it.
What if someone hacks your google account? They can add there own smartphone and start spending money of your visa card.
Most of you know how this goes, you just hit buy. Click, click, buy, buy, yes, yes let me use my credit card so I can buy the game!
And suddenly "Your game will be downloaded as soon as you start you device."
Wait what!?
They didn't ask me how I want to pay, they didn't ask any code. What the hell is this?
I know that you don't need to give a code for your visa, so your money is only protected by your google password. Just a few clicks and away goes your money.
Yes I wanted that game and yes it's only 1,88 EURO but still I'm feeling ripped off.
I'm stunned that you can spend money that easely. No wonder that you read these stories where kids suddenly spend thousands of dollars on a game without the parents knowing it.
What if someone hacks your google account? They can add there own smartphone and start spending money of your visa card.
Protection
In my opinion, companies need to protect customers from spending to much money.
I want to be honest as a person and as a company. And you have to admit no game is worth 1000 EURO/DOLLAR.
The only way I see a solution is to restrict the amount of money a player can spend on my game. Enough to earn a living but not that much so people have serious depths.
How will you do that?
Well, you just have to wait until my game is finished.
Until then I will deleted my girlfiends visa card from my google wallet.
I want to be honest as a person and as a company. And you have to admit no game is worth 1000 EURO/DOLLAR.
The only way I see a solution is to restrict the amount of money a player can spend on my game. Enough to earn a living but not that much so people have serious depths.
How will you do that?
Well, you just have to wait until my game is finished.
Until then I will deleted my girlfiends visa card from my google wallet.