Mobile Game Monetization: Make Money From Your Game

Many game developers and publishers found themselves in the dilemma of choosing the right mobile games monetization models. Before we start reading on the models, it is essential to understand the mobile game monetization term. 

 

Mobile game monetization refers to the process and strategies to generate revenue off the game mobiles. Mobile games undoubtedly have become a juggernaut in the game development industry and interests investors, publishers, and developers. 

 

Let’s start with the game monetization models.

 

5 Game Monetization Models 

 

Game monetization models allow developers and publishers to leverage different strategies that stem from them. These models and strategies help in revenue generation and how they impact game alignment with user experience. 

 

 

In-Game Purchases

 

The in-game purchases is one of the most adopted models across the game publishers and developers. Speaking of in-game purchases, the game developers and publishers allow players to download the game for free. However, during the game-play they can purchase some game items to attain different features or objectives. Players can purchase virtual goods, characters, skins, level packs, etc. 

 

It is upto game developers and publishers to either provide these in-game purchases in subscription pricing or one-time payments. This type of game monetization model provides players with complete gaming experience while having game enhancements as per their requirements. Other than the monetization benefits, this model allows players to play games without any hindrance while unlocking the premium game features for exclusive gameplay. 

 

Subscription Model

 

Another soaring monetization model for games is the subscription model. You might think of Netflix or HBO when a subscription comes to your mind. But, with time, games have made their monetization methods more inclusive and wide. 

 

In this model, players have to pay recurring payments for using exclusive features of the game. When we look into the subscription model, there are different categories that come under it starting from battle pass, ad removal subscriptions, and VIP subscriptions. 

 

The first subscription method is battle pass in which users have a time-limited advancement system that provides a tiered set of rewards in exchange for a one-time payment or a monthly cost. Players gain incentives like in-game currency, cosmetics, equipment, or experience points for accomplishing certain challenges, tasks, or simply playing the game within the time limit. 

 

Ad removal subscriptions are primarily for those games who have in-game advertisements which players have to watch during gameplay. On the other hand, VIP subscriptions provide features exclusively to the players for the set time. Players can bundle them up in the form of daily rewards, a stash of currency, etc. 

 

In-game Advertising 

 

One of the most used game montixaton trends is in-game advertisements in which developers display brand ads to the players. Players can easily play their game without any payment or upgrades for game collectables. A research unveils the fact that users tend to remember in-game/in-app advertisements 47% of the time. However, in-game ads can different based on your game genre, game type, and finally your game monetization goals. 

 

Some game developers use in-game advertisements that give rewards, whereas some games have full-screen ads. Here are the five types of in-game advertisements:

 

• Rewarded ads

• Interstitial ads

• Playable ads

• Native banner ads

• Offerwall 

 

When using in-game ads, it is extremely important to consider the user experience. Disrupting user experience can lead to overall bad health of the game and less user retention.

 

Premium Paid Model

 

It is one of the most old and used game monetization models in which players can pay a one-time fee and avail all the premium features of mobile games. It does not require players to pay money separately for different game features. This model for revenue generation takes upfront money and the long-term revenue profitability depends upon the initial success and game expansion. 

 

That said, there is a downside to this revenu model. Premium paid games have a shorter lifetime as compared to other games if no new content or updates are released. Therefore, if you are offering premium paid games and generate a continuous stream of revenue, make sure your game has game expansion and updates for new releases.

 

Sponsorships

 

With time, sponsorships in gameplay has become a popular trend. In this model, brand sponsors pay an amount to the game developer and publishers to feature their brand. It is one of the successful approaches to generate revenue from games, especially for free-to-play games. The type of content for sponsorships in game can be a logo displayed in menu or transitional phases. It can be anything from global corporations to popular celebrities whose avatars perform in-game. 

 

Best Practices for Generating Ad Revenue

 

You must follow a strategic approach to generative revenue through the games. It is not a child’s play and therefore a good set of practices must be followed. Here is a what you should do to generate maximum revenue from your game:

 

 

How to Make Most Out of Game Monetization Models?

 

Monetizing a mobile game is more than knowing the revenue model, adding price tags, and inserting ads. To make revenue out of the implemented models, you have to ensure that the combination of revenue strategies and understanding of target audience blends well. 

 

Here is a quick step by step guide that can help you achieve your revenue goals by effectively implementing the chosen game monetization model. 

 

Understand Your Target Audience

 

For customer acquisition and retention, the first step is to know your game target audience, their preferences, buying habits, and spending tendencies. For this you can do research and use surveys to get demographics, behaviors, and player profiles. By obtaining the data, you will be able to analyze the spending habits and tendencies of your target audience. It will further help you in choosing the game monetization model and game price if any. 

 

Selecting the Ideal Monetization Model 

 

By analyzing audience demographics, you can select any of the game monetization models that are listed above or any other you found suitable for the game. Here are some other models that you can use to generate revenue from the game:

 

• Loot Boxes

• Season Passes

• Crowdfunding

• Battle Pass System

• Freemium Model

 

Balancing Monetization model with User Experience

 

User experience is a main element for game monetization. You don't want someone to leave your game because that disrupts their gameplay experience. Right?

 

It is essential to balance the user experience and game monetization strategies in such a way that players actually want to spend on your game without feeling interrupted or overselling.  

 

To achieve this, you can follow the below-listed practices for ensuring a balance between game monetization and user experience:

 

1. Make sure that your chosen game revenue model whether in-game ads, in-game purchases, etc., seamlessly integrate with the game without disrupting the gameplay.

2. There must be a value proposition for the money your audience spends on the game. It must be clear and properly communicated to the audience. 

3. Create feedback for the target audience so that they can leave their reviews and opinions for game monetization to show that they are being heard. 

 

Continuous Analysis and Optimizing the Strategy 

 

One thing about achieving good stats is to maintain them to the maximum level. You can do this by tracking the stats gathered by performance metrics stats such as Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and Lifetime Value (LTV). For optimizing the metrics and improving the game monetization stats, you can do A/B testing and choose the one that performs better.

 

Meanwhile you make improvements, it is important to show it to your audience and players that will further boost their interest. 

 

These four strategies can help you boost your game revenue while improving player retention and acquisition.

 

Second Revenue Generation Methods 

 

Other than the famous and well-known game monetization trends, you can go for other models or trends that can generate revenue for you: 

 

1. There is a recommendation pipeline where there are certain recommendations for games and a fee is charged for game recommendation as an advertisement fee. 

2. You can also choose a paywall where players can play a game for free for a limited time. 

3. Other revenue generation from games include paid ad-free access, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and even real-world merchandising.

 

Recap of Some Important Points for Game Monetization Models

 

For game developers and publishers, it is important to understand the user experience and monetization models to ensure that user experience gets no disruption. There is a fair chance that with so many options available for game revenue generation purposes, you might get confused to choose which one. To overcome the problem, you can choose a hybrid model and optimize the revenue streams. For example, a game developer can choose to have in-app purchases as well as in-app ads as well depending upon the demographics and objectives for their game earning. 

 

If you are looking for top game monetization companies, look no further than InvoGames. We ensure that your game implements the suitable monetization model that not only drives revenue but gives value to money to your game audience and players. 

Ready to take multiple of your game earnings? Reach out to us today and make it happen with us!