'Asphalt 8: Airborne' Goes Free to Play, Adds iOS 7 Controller Support

Add graphics to racing games all you want. Still doesn't beat Carmageddon!

"Free to play" but let me guess - IAPs galore, correct?

On my A7 devices, the amount of aliasing seen in this game is eye-bleeding.

I think we've reached the point in mobile hardware where developers should focus on polishing the (literal) rough edges.

Still costs on Android,

Normally it's the opposite.

BRLawyer said:

"Free to play" but let me guess - IAPs galore, correct?

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There's a point where you can't progress unless you spend money or grind through a ridiculous number of races. That's about level 3/4. It's still fun, it's just you can't really move forwards with new cars etc.

Dr McKay said:

Still costs on Android,

Normally it's the opposite.

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Well, iAP supposedly generates more revenue, so it makes sense, not that I like it.

It's one of the easiest in the series anyway to be honest. I mean, I've been playing racing games forever, and I never finish the first track. Here, I've unlocked 5 of them and came in 1st place!

Enjoyable even with the IAP.

Überkraft said:

Well, iAP supposedly generates more revenue, so it makes sense, not that I like it.

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Well you can't crack IAP's so normally Android games are Freemiums. Even if they're pay for on iOS.

Feels weird that it's $1 on Android but free on iOS.

BRLawyer said:

"Free to play" but let me guess - IAPs galore, correct?

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"if you are good with racing games, you can get through most of the game without spending money for IAP. I really like the game, although beating the game fully with 5 stars requires grinding toward the end."

And my tips
http://obamapacman.com/2013/10/download-asphalt-8-airborne-racing-game-today-ios-app-freebie/

usarioclave said:

There's a point where you can't progress unless you spend money or grind through a ridiculous number of races. That's about level 3/4. It's still fun, it's just you can't really move forwards with new cars etc.

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I talked about beating level 3 without paying money or too much farming on my tip page.

Dr McKay said:

Well you can't crack IAP's so normally Android games are Freemiums. Even if they're pay for on iOS.

Feels weird that it's $1 on Android but free on iOS.

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Actually IAP are cracked on Android. I use my iPad to beat the cheaters most of the time because they usually have no skill.

Freemium is not better than paying for the app outright. You pay way more than the game would normally cost.

Dr McKay said:

Well you can't crack IAP's so normally Android games are Freemiums. Even if they're pay for on iOS.

Feels weird that it's $1 on Android but free on iOS.

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Yeah, it's usually the other way round.

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djtech42 said:

Freemium is not better than paying for the app outright. You pay way more than the game would normally cost.

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With Freemium games there's usually a large group of people who never pay a cent (generally kids) and a relatively small group who shell out lots of money. So instead of everyone paying $1 for the game, 95% of the players end up paying $0 and the other 5% drop upwards of $20. Not a very good model from the player's perspective, cause' it compromises the fun of the game for both groups.

BRLawyer said:

"Free to play" but let me guess - IAPs galore, correct?

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No. I reached Season 8 (of 8) without spending anything for IAPs. And without grinding. They didn’t change anything (IAP balance) with the update. It’s not a typical "free to play" game. It’s premium with OPTIONAL IAPs. It was always like this with all Asphalt games (since A6 iirc).

Just one main and simple rule: Go for STARS, not CARS! Don’t buy each new car which is offered. Look in the Seasons plan what car do you need for accomplishing certain race events (what gives you even more stars to unlock new events).

Main thread @ touchArcade with lots of videos, hints and screenshots:

http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=201193

tA editor’s rating: 5/5. tA member’s rating: 5/5. App Store user’s rating in all countries: 5/5. Best action game in store! Far better than RR3.

Habakuk said:

tA editor’s rating: 5/5. tA member’s rating: 5/5. App Store user’s rating in all countries: 5/5. Best action game in store! Far better than RR3.

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Definitely deserves it too! The soundtrack is great, and so are the visuals. Awesome on the iPad Mini, probably even better on the Retina displays!

I got about 50% through the game before I had to give up because I couldn't really progress without spending money.

At least by making it free they are clearly stating this is a free-to-play/IAP-based game, as opposed to trying to charge before and during gameplay.

Still a shame though; was an otherwise really enjoyable game.

Y'know what really pisses me off? When I give a company money up front for a game and then they go and make it free and shove more ads and freemium crap down my throat. They're even worse than EA.

Jessica Lares said:

Definitely deserves it too! The soundtrack is great, and so are the visuals. Awesome on the iPad Mini, probably even better on the Retina displays!

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Graphics suck on iPhone 4 Also no multiplayer.

Everything kinda does lately... Games are more or less choppy.

If you know what you are doing you can beat better cars even in multiplayer:
https://twitter.com/obamapacman/status/391406555880366080

mrsir2009 said:

Yeah, it's usually the other way round.

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With Freemium games there's usually a large group of people who never pay a cent (generally kids) and a relatively small group who shell out lots of money. So instead of everyone paying $1 for the game, 95% of the players end up paying $0 and the other 5% drop upwards of $20. Not a very good model from the player's perspective, cause' it compromises the fun of the game for both groups.

Click to expand...

Part of the game is getting 3 stars. If you get 3 stars then you can progress without grinding.

I find kids typically want to win even if they cheat. That's where in app purchase come in.

That's why most of the games doing well with IAP are designed for kids. e.g. candy crush.

Pinksteady said:

I got about 50% through the game before I had to give up because I couldn't really progress without spending money.

At least by making it free they are clearly stating this is a free-to-play/IAP-based game, as opposed to trying to charge before and during gameplay.

Still a shame though; was an otherwise really enjoyable game.

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If you can't progress beyond season 3 or 5, you probably impulsively bought all the cars offered.

Just like real life, save up for rainy days.

Pinksteady said:

I got about 50% through the game before I had to give up because I couldn't really progress without spending money.

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Read the first two postings in the tA thread I recommended in my previous posting. Then you know how to proceed easily without spending any real money. The eight years old daughter of a friend accomplished this. Go for STARS in the first place and buy new cars only WHEN YOU NEED THEM. If you got stuck without money create a new Game Center account and try it once more. In the specialised touchArcade forum there are SEVERAL regulars who told us that they played through the complete game without IAPs and almost without grinding.

flurffmeister said:

Y'know what really pisses me off? When I give a company money up front for a game and then they go and make it free and shove more ads and freemium crap down my throat. They're even worse than EA.

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So you invested an incredible amount of $.99 as an early adopter for the best action game in town. Stay calm, poveretto: You don’t have to pay any more money. Better you delete the game. It’s nothing for you.

Ploki said:

Graphics suck on iPhone 4 Also no multiplayer.

Everything kinda does lately... Games are more or less choppy.

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Multiplayer works perfect on all other devices than iPhone 4. Especially local multiplayer (two or more iOS devices in the same race): Try that out please! Setup in twenty seconds without any cable or additional hardware. THAT’S what I call social experience believe me. FAR better than all those online multiplayer races against some anonymus persons.

We are playing local multiplayer for HOURS since Asphalt 5 if I remember correctly. Rock solid and stable. Perfect sync via WiFi. BEST. GAMING. EXPERIENCE.

Pure and exclusive iOS power! Try that with Android devices…

I can’t believe it. People are getting the best iOS action game for free and are still ranting…

Is this really free?

Is this really free or when it finished downloaded it will require you to pay? lol

Doesn't work on my MOGA Ace

Despite having "iOS 7 Controller Support" it doesn't actually work on my MOGA Ace. Judging by the MOGA Website, game support is slowly coming on game by game but I'm guessing this wasn't actually what was intended and that all games with controller support should have worked perfectly out of the box.

I was pretty disappointed with the fact that it only works with a few games to date but I have to say that the ones that it does support like Call of Duty Strike Team and and Galaxy on Fire 2 are a joy to play on the device. They're easily twice as enjoyable with the support.

Lord of the Rings is a bit clunky with the d-pad though. They should have gone with the sticks as thay would have made the experience smoother.

Rant over