Apple to launch premium iPhone games boutique

Apple is reportedly mulling plans to launch a new premium games section of its App Store virtual application storefront, offering a range of titles for the iPhone 3G and iPod touch priced at $19.99 each. PocketGamer.biz reports that Apple will limit premium game sales to select large publishers, effectively shutting out the myriad small developers responsible for the majority of iPhone applications--conventional wisdom suggests that Apple will impose such restrictions to guarantee that publishers willing to make the investment necessary to create more sophisticated and expensive games don't get overlooked in the landslide of lower-priced titles.

At present there are no details on when Apple will officially debut the new App Store section. Apple refuses to comment on rumors and speculation--representatives from EA Mobile and Gameloft, considered two of the odds-on favorites to offer games via the new games boutique, also declined comment.

For more on the App Store rumors:
- read this PocketGamer.biz article

Related articles:
App Store tops 15,000 app mark--800 for Android Market
Apple remodels the App Store
Are app stores causing more fragmentation?