$3 iPhone game shuts up cheapskates by raising price to $40!

iPhone users have it good when it comes to mobile apps and games. The AppStore is filled with hoards of iPhone apps and games that cost $1.99, $0.99 or nothing at all. Compared to prices on traditional apps and games, the AppStore is largely a bargain for software hunters out here (nevermind that there’s a lot of free, or 99¢, crap in the AppStore). So, it’s inevitable that a $2.99 iPhone game is going to draw complaints from cheapskates. That’s what Schiau Studios has been dealing with. In response to customer complaints that the game is too pricey, Schiau Studios raised the price of their Alchemize game to $39.99, making it the most expensive game in the AppStore.

The increased price is meant to prove a point. The $39.99 price point is totally in line with other software out there, which should show that the $3 app is more than worth it. While the lesson may not go over too well with penny-pinchers, Schiau Studios says that the price increase in temporary and that all proceeds from the boosted price will go to charity.

If anything, this novel move from Schiau Studios might very well give AppStore AppStore “>cheapskates some perspective on AppStore prices. Developers aren’t just coding their wares for AppStore glory in and of itself, they’re there to make money. If a couple bucks stands between you and an app purchase, maybe that shiny new iPhone wasn’t for you after all.

If you feel like donating to charity, go download Alchemize (iTunes link). Of course, you can wait until it’s back to $2.99.

[Via: NetworkWorld]