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The Mac App Store won't support Game Center or in-app purchases
Apple has informed developers that its upcoming Mac App Store (which may or may not be launching in a few days) will not support two of the major iOS App Store features: the Game Center and in-app purchases. This in spite of the fact that the whole purpose of the Mac App Store is supposed to be bringing what Apple has done on the mobile front 'back to the Mac'.
In-app purchases come in handy for developers that want to employ a freemium model for their apps, by not requiring an additional download if the user decides to pay. In-app purchases are also being widely used in games for enabling people to buy virtual goods from within the games.
And speaking of games, Game Center, a feature that was introduced to iOS in version 4.1, is also not going to make it to the Mac App Store. Game Center brings a social side to gaming, allowing you to compete with your friends in compatible games (even in live playing sessions), unlock achievements and move up the leaderboard.
Apple has not said anything about these features being integrated into the Mac App Store in the future, so for now, don't hold your breath.
In-app purchases come in handy for developers that want to employ a freemium model for their apps, by not requiring an additional download if the user decides to pay. In-app purchases are also being widely used in games for enabling people to buy virtual goods from within the games.
And speaking of games, Game Center, a feature that was introduced to iOS in version 4.1, is also not going to make it to the Mac App Store. Game Center brings a social side to gaming, allowing you to compete with your friends in compatible games (even in live playing sessions), unlock achievements and move up the leaderboard.
Apple has not said anything about these features being integrated into the Mac App Store in the future, so for now, don't hold your breath.
Comments
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Subscribe to commentsIscinDec 10th 2010 12:09PM
I'm betting they aren't including the "Game Center" because Steam is now on Mac. Frankly games have never been Macs strong suit and they probably recognise that having Steam (the ultimate social/retail digital platform for gaming) gives them everything they could do themselves and more (playing with gamers on Window and Linux under emulation).