iOS Sees First Subscription-Based Game Portal Via Big Fish

Seattle's Big Fish Games has received approval from Apple to launch what will be the first subscription-based gaming portal on iOS devices. The service will utilize the App Store subscription feature introduced earlier this year for the company's Newsstand service, allowing users to digitally subscribe to periodical publications. According to Bloomberg, subscriptions to the service will initially cost $4.99 and offer "dozens of games" on demand for unlimited play. According to Big Fish founder Paul Thelen, that fee will increase to $6.99 next year as more games are introduced to the service. As with individual purchases, Apple pockets 30 percent of the revenues incurred from subscription fees. An Android version of the service is currently in the works, according to Thelen. Big Fish has enjoyed a notable amount of success through the App Store. Its recently-released Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove Collector's Edition HD currently ranks in the top 10 paid iPad game apps chart.