1）据知情开发者透露，苹果可能将再次加大对应用内置付费功能的管制，提醒付费用户注意自己的消费情况。观察者认为，由于去年《蓝精灵村庄》和《Tap Zoo》等游戏的内置付费功能遭遇家长投诉，并引起多起法律纠纷等事件，苹果已开始着手规范iOS生态圈的应用内置付费政策。

2）手机游戏公司Glu Mobile宣布2011年第一季度，公司增加了2000万用户，目前用户总数达7000万；其DAU为95.3万，MAU是1190万。其热门iOS/Android免费射击游戏《Gun Bros.》的投入成本（游戏邦注：包括产品开发和市场营销费用）约100万美元，但在第一季度 的收益高达230万美元（非GAAP），DAU是21.5万，每日ARPU值是12美分；该公司今年刚发布的《Contract Killer》在iPhone和iPad平台下载量已达860万次，并即将推出Android版本。

contract-killer(from techshout.com)

3）亚马逊最近发布了一个Mac应用商店，向用户提供许多苹果Mac App Store所没有的重要应用和游戏，直接与苹果形成了正面交锋。这个新亚马逊应用商店名为Mac Software Downloads，目前已有250款Mac应用程序，但其产品售价并不比其他竞争对手更占优势，例如其微软Office 2011软件和Student 2011售价均为115美元，而这两者一般售价则是117美元。《龙腾世纪2》这款RPG游戏的售价甚至高达60美元，远超过其包装零售版本的42美元。

Amazon-Mac-Download-Store（from venturebeat.com）

该应用商店目前提供的非Mac App Store销售软件包括Mac版本的微软Office 2011、Adobe Photoshop Elements 9、《文明5》、《龙腾世纪2》等，它支持用户直接通过网页浏览器下载软件。如果用户已付费购买某款应用，他们就可以无数次重复下载该软件，不过这也要取决于发行商对下载次数的限制。该应用商店的最大不便之处在于更新产品，苹果Mac App Store会主动提醒用户关注软件更新消息，但亚马逊应用商店的用户则无法享受这一待遇，他们只能自己手动查看软件更新情况。

4）尼尔森最近针对iPad用户的调查结果表明，多数用户不习惯使用iPad处理需要多次输入操作的应用程序，用户喜欢跳过繁琐的注册流程，排挤需要手动输入大量信息的操作行为。除此之外，如果应用程序缺乏明显的操作提示，也会给用户造成困挠，单纯在应用中植入一个操作视频指南并不能解决问题。尼尔森建议应用开发者最好全面采用明晰可辨的视觉图案和操作说明，以便用户更好地了解应用操作方法。

5）韩国手机游戏发行商Gamevil宣布向App Store推出iPad版本的《KAMI RETRO HD》，该游戏的之前的iPhone版本因其独特的平台益智风格而备受好评，这款游戏总共设置了60个台阶和五个游戏环境，其iPad版本售价为2.99美元。

KAMI RETRO HD（from nineoverten.com）

6）据欧洲风湿病联盟最新报告显示，用户如果长期玩手机或控制器游戏，有可能导致严重的手指关节疼痛。该调查样本是250名年龄介于9至15岁的青少年，每个受访者均回答了自己使用游戏设备类型、游戏时长，以及手指关节疼痛的次数等情况。

调查指出，由于经常持续数小时体验游戏，使用Gameboy或Xbox设备的用户比iPhone游戏玩家更容易发生手指关节疼痛的现象。

Shadowgun（from recombu.com）

7）《武士2：复仇》开发商Madfinger Games最近发布了其最新手机游戏《Shadow Gun》的演示版本，该游戏可运行于iPhone和iPad平台，同时也支持投放于LG的Optimus 2X和摩托罗拉Atrix、Xoom等采用了Tegra芯片的智能手机。这款第三人称射击游戏风格有点类似于XBox射击游戏《Gears of War》，将于今年底在Android和苹果移动设备现身。（本文为游戏邦/gamerboom.com编译，如需转载请联系：游戏邦）

1）Apple to further tighten App Store IAP policy with initial single transaction limit

by Jon Jordan

Continuing a pattern triggered by consumer criticism over ‘accidental purchases’ of virtual goods in games such as Capcom’s Smurfs’ Village in late 2010, Apple is set to tighten its in-app purchase policy again.

According to developer sources, new apps being submitted to the App Store will limit consumers to a single IAP purchase.

Presumably, the thinking is this single transaction limit, highlighted by an iTunes receipt, will alert users to the availability and cost of IAP. This is particularly important for parents who let their children play on iOS devices, without them or their children being fully aware of the potential cost implications.

How much is that doggy?

Much of the fuss about games such as Smurfs’ Village and Tap Zoo arose when surprised parents received bills for hundreds of dollars spent by their children on in-game currency.

Since then, Apple has tightened up its IAP policies, requiring separate iTunes log-in for IAP, while individual companies, such as Capcom, now better highlight IAP to consumers, and in some case, limit purchases within their games beyond Apple’s requirements.

Apple is also likely taking a firmer view on the issue as regulators are looking into IAP policy industry-wide, while several class-suits have been filed in US courts, specifically citing Apple over the ‘accidental purchase’ of IAP by children. （source:pocketgamer）

2）Resurgent Glu Mobile raises Q2 predictions; it made $2.3 million from Gun Bros. in Q1

by Jon Jordan

Kicking off its first ever analysts day as its share price hit a three year high, Glu Mobile (NASDAQ:GLUU), was keen to stress how it was riding the combination of a global trend of smartphone adoption and freemium game popularity.

“It’s a crucial intersection. We’ve gone from an industry laggard to an industry leader,” said CEO Niccolo de Masi.

He has the figures to prove it too.

Count the zeros

During its first quarter 2011, Glu’s added 20 million users. Its current total is 70 million.

More significantly, its games have 953,000 daily active users, and 11.9 million monthly active users.

The jewel in its portfolio is iOS/Android freemium shooter Gun Bros. To-date, it’s cost around $1 million in terms of development and support costs plus marketing.

However, with 215,000 daily active users, it generated a highly profitable $2.3 million in the three months of Q1 2011 (non-GAAP revenue).

The average revenue generated per daily player is 12c; something that’s bound to pay dividends when the game’s much anticipated multiplayer and social update is released.

But the company’s not a one hit wonder. Its past four releases have gained 14.5 million downloads, with Contract Killer being the key release. It’s done 8.6 million downloads on iPhone and iPad, and is now coming to Android.（source:pocketgamer）

4）Amazon introduces store for Mac apps, games

Sean Ludwig

Amazon has fired a shot at Apple with the opening of a download store focused on Mac applications and games. It will act as a direct competitor to the Apple’s Mac App Store, and offers a few big-name titles Apple does not.

The new Mac Software Downloads section on Amazon has about 250 applications and games for Macs that you can install without the need of a disk. Pricing doesn’t appear to be discounted. For example, Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 Home and Student 2011 retails for $115 in the store, versus $117 normally. Dragon Age 2, a popular RPG, actually costs more as a download, retailing for $60 when it could be purchased in a box for $42.

There’s no clear pricing difference from the Mac App Store. For example, the game Borderlands runs for $50 in both stores.

Software that Amazon offers that Apple doesn’t includes Microsoft Office for Mac 2011, Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, Civilization V, and Dragon Age 2. The software is also easier to obtain because it can be downloaded directly from a web browser instead of downloaded through another application.

When a customer purchases a Mac game or app from Amazon, he or she will be allowed to re-download that title as many times as he or she wants. However, each publisher can place restrictions on how many installs the software will allow and how many times a licence can be used.

The biggest drawback to downloading from Amazon is the process of updating software. Apple’s Mac App Store notifies the user of software updates while Amazon says it’s up to the manufacturers.

Users who download from Amazon will need to manually check for updates and sometimes may need to check a manufacturer’s website for update details.（source:venturebeat）

4）iPad Usability Study Reveals What We Do and Don’t Like In Apps

By Darrell Etherington

Tweet iPad users aren’t stingy with their devices, according to a new usability report by the Nielsen Norman Group focusing on Apple’s tablet. In fact, iPad owners who lived with one or more individuals reported that they shared their iPads freely, unlike the iPhone. The report also illuminated many things we like and don’t like about the apps we use on our iPads.

For example, the study found that users aren’t crazy about using their iPad devices to deal with complicated forms that require lots of user input, especially if those forms are found in non-optimized websites, rather than housed in an app. Users would skip registrations processes rather than deal with inputting information in many cases. The solution to such a problem would be to make forms simpler, requiring less information, and reduce the need for repeat entry of information (so apps that offer to remember login details are better, for example).

iPad users also aren’t as able to decipher non-obvious control systems as some developers might think. In cases where it wasn’t made clear what tapping an item that wasn’t obviously a button (i.e., a logo) would do, users often missed the functionality. Examples cited in the report include the logo in the top left of The Daily app, which returns users to the app’s home screen. USA Today  originally used a similar mechanism, but changed their logo to include a “Sections” label to tell users that it was in fact designed to be tapped and tied to a function.

Likewise, gestures in apps can sometimes cause trouble when there are no visual cues to provide information about how they work. Don’t think that placing an instructional video or graphic at the beginning of the app will solve the problem, either. Many users don’t read instructions, though visual instructions that are incredibly obvious, like those used by Bing for iPad, tested well with those participating in the study, since users couldn’t avoid grasping their meaning even when they quickly dismissed them. Nielsen Norman Group advises developers that they’re much better off including visual markers throughout, indicating that swipes and other gestures can be used. For example, magazine apps like Wired include arrows that show the direction a user should swipe to unveil more content.（source:gigaom）

5）GAMEVIL Brings KAMI RETRO HD to the iPad

by Mary Ann Neder

GAMEVIL, a leading mobile games publisher and developer, announced KAMI RETRO HD is now available on the App Store. Building on the success of the iPhone version, KAMI RETRO has been optimized for the increased resolution of the iPad.

KAMI RETRO was highlighted as iPhone Game of the Week on the US App Store upon release, and quickly landed on must-have lists of critics and players alike thanks to its unique spin on platforming and puzzle-gaming, crisp retro-3D visuals and 8-bit inspired soundtrack. Now on the larger screen of the iPad as KAMI RETRO HD, players can enjoy the touch-and-flick gameplay even more naturally, guiding troops to safety by placing tools like springs, fans and more, while avoiding traps, man-eating plants and other obstacles.

“The unique style of KAMI RETRO HD looks, sounds and plays great on the iPad,” said Kyu Lee of Head of GAMEVIL USA, “Developer Paw Print Games perfected a top-notch experience for the device and we’re thrilled that more new fans can enjoy the game in HD.”

Featuring more than 60 stages across five worlds, platform-puzzle game KAMI RETRO HD will challenge players’ smart thinking and quick fingers.

KAMI RETRO HD is available now for $2.99 from the App Store on iPad.（source:appmodo）

6）Constantly Playing Mobile Games Could Lead to Severe Joint Pain

by Kathy Jones

Constantly playing games on consoles or on mobile phones could leave you with severe joint pains in the wrist or fingers, according to a new study presented at the annual congress of the European League against Rheumatism.

More than 250 students between ages 9 and 15 years took part in the study led by Dr Yusuf Yazici from the New York University Hospital. Each participant was asked a number of questions including the device used, the amount of time spent on gaming and the amount of wrist or finger pains experienced.

The researchers found that those who used a Gameboy or an Xbox complained of more pain than those who used devices such as an iPhone. Also the amount of pain increased two fold for every hour spent on gaming.

“Our study has shown the negative impact that playing computer games and using mobile phones can have on the joints of young children, raising concerns about the health impact of modern technology later in life”, Dr Yazici said.（source:medindia）

7）Shadowgun: The future of mobile gaming looks like this

By Mat Smith

Dual and quad-core gaming will arrive looking like this. That’s according to the makers of Samurai 2: Vengeance, who have released these samples from their upcoming mobile game, Shadow Gun.

The game, which looks like it’ll involve big men with guns, is being developed for both iOS devices, like the iPhone and iPad, as well as Tegra-powered smartphones like LG’s Optimus 2X and Motorola’s Atrix and Xoom. The third-person shooter bears a more-than-passing resemblence to XBox shooter, Gears of War.

According to their site, Shadowgun is played out in the role of John Slade; bounty hunter. He needs to hunt down renowned geneticist Dr. Edgar Simon, but between the two of them stands a whole load of mutants, cyborgs, and several other things inbetween.

Perhaps the most interesting news is that the games is already being developed for Nvidia’s quad-core chips possibly found in future devices. That’s some forward thinking.

Nvidia’s Ashu Rege, Vice President of Game Content and Technology, said: “Shadowgun shows off the console-quality experience that Tegra is bringing to Android devices. We’re especially excited that Madfinger is creating a special version of Shadowgun that’s optimized for multi-core processors and will take advantage of the processing and graphics power of Project Kal-El.”

The game looks set to arrive on Android and Apple devices later this year.（source:recombu）