Apple recently started publishing a list of the top grossing applications in its App Store. Since its inception the App Store has posted over 2 billion downloads. The App Store effectively operates like a consignment shop. Apple keeps a third of the price of any application sold in the App Store, while the developer gets the rest. Apple does not disclose how much revenue it derives from App Store sales, but we can bet that the lion’s share of revenue comes from the top 100 grossing applications. Below is a description of the top ten grossing applications sold in the App Store, along with a description of their developer.
 1. Rock Band. Developed by Electronic Arts and distributed for $9.99. Released October 15th, 2009. This app put the popular console game Rock Band to a handheld platform. The game comes with 20 songs and a multiplayer that allows up to four iPhones or iTouches to link up. EA sells additional songs in an in-game store for $0.99 a pop.
It is obvious from a quick glance at the top 100 grossing iPhone apps that the gaming behemoth is a dominant player in the paid app category. It has developed 4 of the to 10, 9 of the top 20, and 13 of the top 100 paid applicaticatations in the app store. EA has been successful in carrying its big-name games, such as Command and Conquer and and Rock Band, from traditional platforms into the mobile realm. |
2. Command & Conquer Red Alert. Developed by Electronic Arts and distributed for $9.99. Released October 16, 2009. EA has brought its hits real-time strategy game (RST in gamer parlance) to a mobile platform. In this game the Soviets and the Allies duke it out control of the world. The multiplayer feature allows two iPhones or iTouches to go head-to-head. This game appeals to a large audience of people that grew up playing through the Red Alert series. EA has been successful in carrying its big-name games, such as Command and Conquer and and Rock Band, from traditional platforms into the mobile realm. |
 3. DOOM Classic. Developed by id Software and distributed for $6.99. Released October 30, 2009. With this app id Software has brought it iconic first person shooter to the mobile world. This game gave effectively gave birth to the first person shooter genre. In this game you play a lone space marine that must fight Satan’s legion to survive. Demand from this game draws from the hordes of people 18-25 years old that played this game when they were kids and are looking to relive the yesteryears.
id Software is one of the oldest players in the gaming world. Particularly dominant in the first person shooter category, id has put out some of the classic names such as Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, and Quake. Apart from DOOM, id Software has also put out a mobile version of Wolfenstein 3D. It has not made the top 100 grossing list. id may be able to achieve more mobile success if and when it puts out a mobile version of its multiplayer powerhouse Quake. |
 4. NBA League Pass Mobile. Developed by MobiTV and distributed for $39.99. Released October 27,2009. With the basketball season getting underway, this app allows the user to watch NBA games live and up to 48 hours after the game. The app also features daily league highlights and live game statistics.
MobiTV is a company that specializes in bringing television and radio to mobile phones. It operates on the Sprint, AT&T Mobility, and Alltel and between its various services claims roughly 7 million subscribers. Its content partners include MSNBC, CNN, ESPN, FOX News, and CNBC. |
 5. MobileNavigator North America. Developed by NAVIGON AG and distributed for $89.99. Released Jun 26, 2009. This app is a mobile navigation system. It functions just like a GPS device that you might buy for you car. If you can tolerate relying on the 3G network rather than a trusty satellite, this is an economical way to get a navigation system for your car. NAVIGON AG is a based out of Hamburg, Germany and manufactures mobile GPS devices as well as GPS navigation software. In 2005 the private equity firm General Atlantic bought a minority stake in the company. NAVIGON’s iPhone app is its only product distributed in North America. |
 6. RedLaser. Developed by Occipital and distributed for $1.99. Released September 18, 2009. This app is ideal for the bargain hunter. It scans the barcode of a product and then scans the internet for its cheapest price.
Named after the lobe of the brain responsible for visual processing, Occipital produces software that allows your iPhone to process image data. Apart from RedLaser Occipital produces FoodScanner, which allows users to scan the barcode on food items to track caloric intake, and Snapture, which allows user to edit and share photos. |
 7. Bejeweled 2. Developed by PopCap Games Inc and distributed for $2.99. Released August 20th, 2008. This gem-swapping puzzle game has developed a cult following since its release. A simple game with abundant replay value.
PopCap games made its name with the origional Bejeweled. It has been distributed on the XBOX, XBOX 360, PlayStation 3, and multiple mobile platforms. It has sold more than 25 million copies. Although PopCap puts out over 17 different games, the Bejeweled franchise appears to be the companies workhorse. |
 8. Skee-Ball. Developed by Freeverse Inc and distributed for $0.99. Released September 22, 2009. This seeks to replicate the carnival Skee Ball where the player throws a ball down an alley into one of a number of holes, each worth a specified amount of points. Using the iPhone’s accelerometer, the player can get the similar sensation to playing the actual game.
Founded in 1994, Freeverse Inc is a New York based gaming developer with a track record of solid game design. For most of its life the company has stuck to producing PC games, and has a long history of producing for the Mac platform. Although Skee Ball is the only Freeverse game to make the top 100 grossing apps list, it sport another 11 paid apps at the store. |
 9. TETRIS. Developed by Electronic Arts and distributed for $4.99. Released July 09, 2008. As the gift that keeps on giving, this game has been part of the gaming world since for over 20 years and has sold over 70 million copies in its various forms. EA has now brought the franchise of mobile form. It should come as no surprise that this game has done well.
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 10. NBA Live by EA Sports. Developed by Electronic Arts and distributed for $9.99. Released October 23, 2009. This virtual basketball game lets you plays as any number of NBA teams and player. Although consumers have been frustrated with this games control features, the popularity of basketball season seems to created enough demand to place this game in the number 10 sport for top grossing iPhone apps. |
Garrett McIntyre
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