[Big Ol' Disclaimer: this isn't intended as advice to go out and swap iPhone apps at large, since that's against the law. It's merely a tip about sharing apps locally based on information we've linked to below, as well as our own understanding of Apple's Usage Rules section, also linked to below. We do think we've read the legalese correctly, but we're not lawyers, so we're not guaranteeing our take is right.]
I’m bringing the whole shared account issue up today not because it’s news (Appletell and MacObserver and TUAW reported this a while back), but because so many great multiplayer games are coming out now that a reminder could be useful for some iPhone users. If you’ve got a best friend or a family member you’re dying to play COD Zombies with, you don’t necessarily have to buy two copies — you could just share a copy on one iTunes account. The system (which works with any app you own) is certainly open to abuse, but seeing as most multiplayer games are limited to four players, it’s actually practical to stay safely within legal guidelines here. Add to that the fact that most people carry their iPods and iPhones with them everywhere, and you’ve got a great setup for multiplayer gaming in more places, and for less cash than your conventional portable gaming system.
Well, that’s convenient
I own both a DS Lite and a PSP-2000 and I know that most iPhone games don’t capture the depth of the best of the game on those dedicated platforms, but just like cameras…the best gaming system is the one that you have with you. Instead of having to plan a game of Tekken and remembering to bring your PSP’s, it’s much easier for my sister and me to take out our devices and game. We both own at least one kind of dedicated portable gaming system, but our iPhones and iPods are the only ones we keep on us at all times.
Ten divided by two
My sister owns an iPod Touch 2G and she’s actually the other half of the JAiB Games Lab (yeah, I made that name up just now…), and none of the multiplayer feedback I’ve placed in my reviews would be possible without the ability to share licenses.
Yes, living room consoles have split-screen gameplay, but that’s unheard of on a portable gaming device. What’s a lot more common is some sort of multiplayer that requires two people to take turns while squinting at a 3.5″ screen — and that’s not exactly Triple A multiplayer action either.
However, with an iPhone or iPod Touch, it’s only as difficult as logging into some sort of joint iTunes account to load a game onto two devices and play away. So while some games like COD Zombies are on the “expensive” side of iPhone games at $9.99, if you’re sharing the account with someone, the price of the game is already cut in half. If my whole family was locked and loaded with iPhones (and was interested in shooting Nazi zombies) then we could theoretically all play together using one license — $2.50 each.
Hold on, now
Before you go all Rambo on app sharing, just keep in mind that the shared iTunes account is likely tied to a credit card — and if it’s your account, it’s likely your credit card 
Giving people access to that account also means that they can buy things in your name and you’re responsible for all the charges, so watch out.
Consumer perspective
I’m not a developer, and I’m sure there are other angles to this that I haven’t covered, but as an avid gamer and an iPhone fan — shared licenses seem like a pretty kick-ass feature for multiplayer gaming on this platform. For once, we’ve actually got a system that legally allows you to share a couple of games, instead of forcing every member of your digital Rock Band to buy a copy. I can see why Apple might not want to advertise this (it’s tucked away in Usage Rules, section 9b), but it sure makes gaming a hell of a lot cheaper!
{ 1 trackback }
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
My wife and I have shared an account (and apps) since she first got my 2G iPhone hand-me-down. We don't download the same apps a lot, but we do on occasion. Having one account is more about simplicity than sharing apps for us; I consider it a fringe benefit.
You must log in to post a comment.