Input need for Video Game Trader Iphone Application

[videogametrader]

Hello,

Video Game Trader is set to release an Iphone Price Guide application. This app will allow you to access our price guide without needing an active internet/network connection, except for price updates. We are due to release this application around July/August.

We are at the point in development where we need to start thinking about how much to charge.

Thanks for taking the time to answer the poll.

Sincerely,

Thomas Sansone

PS. Starting with Issue #13 (Aug/Sept), shipping in July, the magazine will be full size.

[namzep]

Since I'll be getting an iPhone sometime later this year I'm pretty excited about an app like this. I'd say around $9.99 or so would be the make or break price point for me on it.

[98PaceCar]

I'm not really familiar with your price guide, so it's hard to say how much I'd pay. What I would recommend is a free download that gives access to a single system or subset of prices so that people can take a look at what you are providing before putting down the cash to buy the whole thing. I've bought many apps I would have never thought of buying after trying them out.

[Blanka789]

I would pay in the range of $7-$10 for this, and would love to see it.

[videogametrader]

I'm not really familiar with your price guide, so it's hard to say how much I'd pay. What I would recommend is a free download that gives access to a single system or subset of prices so that people can take a look at what you are providing before putting down the cash to buy the whole thing. I've bought many apps I would have never thought of buying after trying them out.

I would like this option as well. The problem with the app store is that Apple does not allow FREE trial subscriptions. I have to price a free trial at at least $0.99.

Tom

[videogametrader]

I would pay in the range of $7-$10 for this, and would love to see it.

I attached a screen shot.

[chrisbid]

im guessing it wont have this feature, but it would be nice if the app could double as a checklist

[98PaceCar]

I would like this option as well. The problem with the app store is that Apple does not allow FREE trial subscriptions. I have to price a free trial at at least $0.99.

Tom

I wouldn't think this would fall under a subscription though. If you take a snapshot of the data on any given day and package that as the demo, wouldn't that be the same as a free demo without including the need for updates?

[videogametrader]

I wouldn't think this would fall under a subscription though. If you take a snapshot of the data on any given day and package that as the demo, wouldn't that be the same as a free demo without including the need for updates?

That is an option we are looking into.

[Steve W]

I'd also like some sort of checklist. The problem with the iPhone/iPod Touch is that it doesn't let you transfer notes from your host computer to the iPhone like you can with older iPods. It gets difficult to get lists of assorted games onto an iPhone or iPod Touch without typing the whole thing in by hand. It would be nice to have a handy application that could serve as my pocket checklist of all the games I already own. I carry my iPod Touch with me all the time, it would be nice if it would keep track of my collection for me so I don't accidentally pick up another copy of M.A.D. for the Atari 2600 again.

[Blanka789]

That looks very sleek, I'll definitely be getting it.

[videogametrader]

Please keep voting. But it looks like we are going to release a subscription based application for $2.99 yearly and an application that includes a subscription to the magazine for a higher price. We need to see if the app store will support the 2nd option. Since the Iphone 3.0 software is not out yet, we may offer a $0.99 cent application that will be updated throwout the rest of 2009 and call it VGPrice Guide 2009.

Opinions?

[sav127]

Great Idea, will help me alot when I'm out at thrift stores, Flea Markets, and Garage Sales.

[videogametrader]

UPDATE!!!

I just uploaded the application to the Apple Store. We are going to be offering the first version at an introductory price of just $0.99. I would expect Apple to approve the application in about a week or two.

Currently the application is a simple price guide with search capabilities. The first feature we are going to work on adding is a "checklist" function where you can check which games you have in your collection. This feature will also have a switch that, when turned on, will only list games that are NOT in your collection. Also, with the first pricing update, we will be adding Sony Playstation 1 to the guide.

What else would you like the application to do?

[hush]

[This is an app i will be looking forward to getting it will be nice to have all that on my phone as well as the checklist option im tired of carrying around my note book
will you be looking into going into new consoles ,ps2, ps3, xbox360 and such or are you going to keep it only to old school stuff?

[videogametrader]

[This is an app i will be looking forward to getting it will be nice to have all that on my phone as well as the checklist option im tired of carrying around my note book
will you be looking into going into new consoles ,ps2, ps3, xbox360 and such or are you going to keep it only to old school stuff?

I will probably be adding the new platforms to the Price Guide on a quarterly basis until all platforms are there.

However, whether i add those same platforms to the print magazine depends on the status of Video Game Collector. We are focusing Video Game Trader Magazine on classic video games (i.e. anything NOT current). However, if VGCollector is truly finished, then we will expand to cover newer systems as well.

Tom

[MeTmKnice]

I know this is an "iphone thread" bleh. But anyways, is there an app similar to this for Smartphones/WM phones or other phones also?

[videogametrader]

I know this is an "iphone thread" bleh. But anyways, is there an app similar to this for Smartphones/WM phones or other phones also?

If the iPhone version of the app is popular, I will look into porting it to other mobile platforms.

[otaku]

If I traveled enough or went to enough stores (don't have em here) I'd have this (and an iphone) 10 bucks is a sweet spot but I'd go even higher if I had to so long as it was regularly updated (like weekly or something etc)

[jacrough]

After this, make one for Android.

[videogametrader]

Pricing Update!!

We kind of settled on a price for the application after the first update. The introductory price of $0.99 will stand until iPhone 3.0 comes out in the summer. Then we will post an update that will allow the guide to "auto" update the prices. This will be a yearly subscription and will cost $2.99 for the year.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Tom Sansone

[Steve W]

I'm assuming that the app will be called Video Game Trader? I want to keep an eye out for it for when Apple puts it up on the iTunes Store.

[videogametrader]

I'm assuming that the app will be called Video Game Trader? I want to keep an eye out for it for when Apple puts it up on the iTunes Store.

Actually, to make it easily findable for those that don't know about us, we simply called it "Video Game Price Guide" and have the VGT logo as the icon.

Tom

[Nintendo Gamer]

.....

[videogametrader]

Can't wait to check this out, any screenshots of the program?


Here are some pictures of the application. Since this is the very first version/update all prices are listed with a green up arrow. With future pricing updates the arrows will change or disappear when the prices change. (Green Up for increase, no arrow if no change, and red down arrow if price decrease). The top price is for Complete items and the bottom price is for loose items.

PS. The picture is attached.

Tom

[Slothism]

I am so excited. I was just talking to my girlfriend about how someone needs to make an app just like this. Mostly i was talking about the list portion so i could keep track of my games on the go but this is even better than imagined. Thank you guys so much i can't wait untill it's released. I'm already getting antsy.

[NES_Rules]

If I had an iPhone, I'd probably be willing to spend around $10 for it, but I think for subscribers of the magazine, it should be free if that's possible to do.

Also, instead of having every system listed individually on one screen like in the screenshots, it would be easier/faster to browse if it was broken up by manufacturers. For example, if you wanted the NES, the first screen would have listings like Atari, Nintendo, Sega, etc then you would select Nintendo and that would bring up the list of Nintendo consoles so you could choose NES. That would make things considerably quicker for the user instead of making them scroll through 50+ systems to get to the one they want.

[videogametrader]

Update!!! Apple has approved the app and it should be in the app store within a few hours.

[videogametrader]

Video Game Trader Magazine has released the "Video Game Price Guide" iPhone & iPod Touch application. The introductory price is $0.99 & will provide free updates through the rest of 2009.

You can get it by searching "video game price guide" in either the app store, or iTunes.

Or you can just click here: itms://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=316807153&mt=8&s=143441

I encourage you to leave your feedback and suggestions as this is just a version 1.0 of the application. However, a couple things being added to the next update: the ability to "check" an item that you have in your collection; and the ability to click on a game and view the VideoGamePriceCharts.com data page for that game.

Sincerely,

Thomas Sansone
Video Game Trader Magazine & Price Guide
www.VideoGameTrader.com

[videogametrader]

Sorry, messed up the link. Here is the correct one.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=316807153&mt=8&s=143441

[hush]

Just got it and took it for a spin looks good guys :D cant wait for updates in the future

[Steve W]

I got my chance to use it today. I went thrift store shopping and found a bunch of PS1 games. I'm not familiar at all with Playstation releases, and I wanted to know if they were worth picking up or dirt commons. But low and behold, there's no Playstation games listed in the app. I hope that gets added in at some point in the future. And I hope the app gets updated with the ability to 'check off' games. That would be supremely useful.

[videogametrader]

Playstation One games are going to be added in the future. Hopefully within a few months. The next major update will hopefully include the "check" feature. Stay tuned.

[Animaniac]

I'd pay $5-$7.

This would be a perfect way to take advantage of Apple's new magazine subscription thing that's gonna be in the next update.

Edit: I think I may be a little late lol.

[videogametrader]

I'd pay $5-$7.

This would be a perfect way to take advantage of Apple's new magazine subscription thing that's gonna be in the next update.

Edit: I think I may be a little late lol.

Thats ok.. We have priced the app at a $2.99 yearly subscription once Apple released 3.0. For now it is $0.99 for the rest of the year.

Tom

[grolt]

Any updates? I've purchased the app thus far, and really look forward to the future capabilities, especially the Checklist function. I'd also really like to see PS2 and Xbox lists, too, since those are currently ubiquitous at any used games store or pawn shop.

Thanks for making this though, what a great idea.

[videogametrader]

Any updates? I've purchased the app thus far, and really look forward to the future capabilities, especially the Checklist function. I'd also really like to see PS2 and Xbox lists, too, since those are currently ubiquitous at any used games store or pawn shop.

Thanks for making this though, what a great idea.

We are currently working on the next update. This update should be ready to submit to Apply by July 1st.

The two features that I know will be in this update are: Pricing Update, Sony Playstation platform added, and link to VGPC.com for each game.

Another update should follow in August.

Until all planned features are added, the price will remain $0.99.

Thanks,

Tom

[Solertia]

Without hesitation, I'm buying this haha

[videogametrader]

Are you an "old school" or modern gamer and/or collector? Do you shop garage sales, flea markets, eBay? Want to know if you are getting ripped off by your local game store? You owe it to yourself to know what your games are worth.

The Video Game Price Guide contains over 6,000 video game titles and lists prices for complete and incomplete games and systems. The Game Price Guide database is maintained by Video Game Trader, a magazine devoted to video games.

The guide includes pricing information for the following platforms: Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Atari Jaguar, Atari Lynx, Atari XE, Coleco Vision, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Intellivision, NES, SNES, Virtual Boy, Nintendo 64, Odyssey 2, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega Game Gear, Sega 32x, Sega CD, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Sega Pico, Turbo Grafx 16, Vectrex & Sony Playstation. More platforms are planned for inclusion with future updates.

WHAT'S NEW IN THIS VERSION:
What's new in version 1.1?

* Added Sony Playstation prices
* Updated all prices
* Added help screen
* Added Details page for each item with a link to VideoGamePriceCharts.com detail page
* Sorted main screen by Manufacturer
* Added ability to jump to specific letter of the alphabet while browsing
* Test with iPhone 3.0 OS

The next update should have the ability to auto-update prices as we release them (about once per month). Also the next version will add 3DO and Game Cube to the platformm list. Also, we are planning a price increase to $1.99 August 1st.

Sincerely,

Tom Sansone
www.VideoGameTrader.com