Apple opens the door to subscription-based games

If you like to play a lot of different games, one downside to gaming on an iPad is games have typically had to be purchased and downloaded individually. Apple is changing that by allowing Big Fish Games to be the first company to offer subscription-based gaming.

Big Fish Games will release an app that has unlimited access to all of its games. The subscription service will operate similar to Netflix’s iPad app. The initial release will be available for $4.99 a month, then be increased to $6.99 a month once more titles have been added. The company is expected to release a free version, as well, that is ad-supported and limits play to 30 minutes a day. Both versions will initially be limited to Wi-Fi access only.

Paul Thelen, the founder of Big Fish Games, said that the app is designed in a way that would make adaptation to Android devices and Internet-connected TVs a breeze. He anticipates that an Android version will be ready by the first quarter of 2012.

While some subscription-based gaming services have been more popular than other on various platforms, Thelen is confident that the popularity of the iPad combined with the ease of payment will make Big Fish’s offering a success. What do you thing? Will you be jumping on board with subscription-based gaming or do you prefer your entertainment a la carte?

source: Bloomberg via TUAW