Capcom's 'free' Smurf Village video game may be free to play but their Facebook style game play system where user can play for free but have the options to buy pay for 'Smurfberries' for upgrades is a cash cow for Capcom.
While Angry Birds has stayed around the top of the mobile gaming market for months, the Smurfs have been gathering bucket loads of money from gamers.
Apparently, users are happy to but 'Smurfberries' to speed up progress in the game - while Rovio keep on providing free updates for, the addictive, Angry Birds app.
With 1,000 Smurfberries costing $60 (£37.50) bills so mount up.
Apparently according to the apple web page selling the game, a lot of users are unhappy that the game can charge items to your account and some users don't know this is happening (you can turn the feature off)...
Here are some reviews from the itunes web site....
Beware hidden costs.
Just noticed what appears to be a new warning on the game page about the iOS keeping you logged in or 15 minutes. This means it is all too easy to rack up in app purchases if you are unaware that is what is happening. It doesn't mean that the game should not have some guidance above and beyond the in app restrictions of iOS. A simple note next to the costs of bushels and barrels etc to indicate it's charging your iTunes account. The costs are not negligible, £34 for a single in app purchase is not something you want to accidentally make!
We installed this for my son and sat with him playing it. It wasn't clear that the purchases were not in game fantasy credit but were actually charged to my iTunes account. At no point was my password asked for. Even updating apps requires my password and I deliberately don't have 1 click purchasing enabled. Since been uninstalled.
...MoreWe installed this for my son and sat with him playing it. It wasn't clear that the purchases were not in game fantasy credit but were actually charged to my iTunes account. At no point was my password asked for. Even updating apps requires my password and I deliberately don't have 1 click purchasing enabled. Since been uninstalled.
Complete rip off!! Beware
Disgusting! Just had shock when checking email.... This game charges your account without you knowing ... I want a full refund! Conned!!!! Do not buy
Forces secret buys
I think I just bought surfberries by mistake and will be charges more for them than I normally pay for an app. What a con and there is no way I would let my child play something that allows them to make purchases on an iTunes account as part of the game! That shouldn't be allowed.
You have been warned
So mush so that Apple post this on the application page...
SPECIAL NOTES:
iOS will keep you logged on for 15 minutes after you download the app. Additional purchases won’t require a re-entry of the password during this 15 minute interval. This is a function of the iOS software and not within our control.
iOS will keep you logged on for 15 minutes after you download the app. Additional purchases won’t require a re-entry of the password during this 15 minute interval. This is a function of the iOS software and not within our control.
