Monetization
Ongoing coverage on Monetization.
Latest coverage
Console and mobile MOBA Pokemon Unite announces a shutdown date of March 2027
Pokemon Unite, the MOBA released on Nintendo Switch and mobile devices in 2021, will shut down its servers on March 23rd, 2027. In-game purchases and Unite Club subscriptions have already been suspended. The game's developer, TiMi Studio Group, previously adjusted its monetization strategy in 2021.
How WoW: Forever Is “Pushing The Envelope,” And What Comes After Launch
Blizzard Entertainment is launching World of Warcraft: Forever on November 4, a new version of its MMORPG that aims to push boundaries by incorporating 22 years of hindsight and community feedback. The game will feature over 1,000 new quests, four new zones, substantial class changes, and a new playable race, Skyborne elves. Developers Clay Stone and Holly Longdale discussed the game's approach to endgame content, monetization strategies like charging for the Skyborne race, and plans for future content updates, emphasizing a commitment to long-term player engagement.
Pantheon Rise of the Fallen’s Q&A continues with answers about monetization, scope, and AI tools
Visionary Realms provided further details on Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen's development, addressing monetization, scope, and AI tools. The game will retain a purchase-once-and-play model during Early Access, with no plans to scale back the world's scope, though some less central areas may be deferred. While AI may be used for repetitive tasks, the company is not interested in AI-generated artwork.
Gegap Gempita Panggung Esports: Rahasia Sukses di Balik Penyelenggaraan Turnamen Kelas Dunia
This article analyzes the key elements behind the success of world-class esports tournaments, highlighting the critical role of robust network infrastructure, precise stage design with soundproof booths, and dynamic lighting synchronized with gameplay. It also details the complexities of broadcasting production, athlete welfare, strict regulations, and effective monetization strategies that contribute to the massive growth and appeal of the esports industry.
Baki’s Yujiro Hanma Is About To Turn Tekken 8 Into A Full-Blown Muscle Appreciation Simulator
Bandai Namco has revealed Yujiro Hanma from the Baki series as a new character for Tekken 8 through a trailer. While a release date is not yet set, he is slated for a winter release and will receive a dedicated trailer at the Tekken World Tour Finals. The article also touches on Tekken 8's technical advancements with Unreal Engine 5 and recent community backlash regarding balance changes and monetization.
Betawatch: ArcheAge Chronicles talks monetization as World of Warcraft Forever continues to test
ArcheAge Chronicles faces scrutiny over its early access monetization, with the author expressing skepticism due to prior issues like gender-locking. Meanwhile, World of Warcraft Forever's ongoing beta continues to dominate testing news with updates on dungeon XP, RMT bans, and PvP features, overshadowing other titles like Aion 2 and Star Wars Galactic Racer.
The EU Is Coming For Gaming’s Most Manipulative Monetization Tactics
European consumer protection authorities are taking action against 10 video game companies, including Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft, for employing "dark patterns" and manipulative monetization tactics. These practices, such as selling in-game currency in fixed bundles that force overspending and obscuring real-world costs, are accused of putting minors and vulnerable individuals at risk of gaming addiction. Some games like Fortnite are beginning to offer exact currency purchases, but many still rely on exploitative bundle deals.
Xbox puts former Reddit and Facebook exec in charge of Minecraft studio Mojang
Xbox has appointed Maria Angelidou-Smith, formerly of Meta and Reddit, as the new CEO of Mojang Studios, the developer behind Minecraft. This change occurs amidst broader restructuring within Xbox and raises concerns about a potential shift towards user retention and monetization strategies over community focus.
Xbox aim to wring more cash out of the games they've not cast into oblivion by launching new licensing arm and handing Minecraft to ex-Meta monetisation lead
Xbox is launching a new licensing division, Xbox Products (XP), to generate more revenue from its major game franchises through film, TV, merchandise, and events. This initiative comes as Xbox undergoes significant layoffs, with a total of 3200 employees being let go. Mojang, the developer of Minecraft, has appointed Maria Angelidou-Smith, formerly of Meta, as its new CEO, bringing extensive experience in product and monetization but no direct gaming industry background.
ArchAge Chronicles summarizes its gameplay and confirms its early access monetization in new video
XLGames has released a new video digest for ArcheAge Chronicles, detailing its gameplay and monetization plans. The open-world action MMORPG will feature a box price at early access with no cosmetics, and a cash shop planned for full release that aims to avoid pay-to-win mechanics. The developer also confirmed a PvP-focused demo on October 19th.
GTA 6 and San Andreas show how much game development has changed: In the '00s, Rockstar turned a Clair Obscur Expedition 33-sized budget into $600 million
The article contrasts the development costs and revenue of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas with the anticipated costs of Grand Theft Auto 6. San Andreas was reportedly made for under $10 million and grossed around $600 million, while modern AAA titles like GTA 6 have budgets exceeding $1 billion and higher base prices. This highlights the dramatic increase in game development expenses over two decades.
RuneScape devs apologize for plan to reset and divide the MMO: "We have made you, as existing players, feel like…
Jagex has apologized and is reconsidering its "RuneScape Reignited" plan, which proposed splitting the MMO into new worlds with fresh economies, after significant player backlash. Existing players felt neglected, fearing their progress and accomplishments would be devalued. The developer is now exploring revisions to better integrate veteran players and address concerns about community fragmentation and monetization.
Aion 2 celebrates over 400K Steam users and opens multiple new servers in its first day of release
Aion 2 has achieved over 400,000 concurrent users on Steam within its first day of global release, prompting NCsoft to open multiple new servers. While the game topped several Steam charts, user reviews are mixed, citing issues with combat, monetization, and auto-movement, alongside praise for visuals and gameplay.
Stop Killing Games movement sounds alarm on EU Kids Act: ‘This is a bomb that could implode the whole video games industry’
The Stop Killing Games movement is raising concerns about the proposed EU Kids Act, arguing that its broad scope could severely damage the video game industry. Movement representative Ross Scott described the act as 'draconian,' warning it could lead to increased development costs for smaller studios, make private servers illegal, and potentially collapse the European gaming market.
Perfect Ten: 10 reasons why mobile MMORPGs never became a phenomenon
This analysis explores ten reasons why mobile MMORPGs have failed to achieve widespread popularity comparable to their PC and console counterparts. Factors include the novelty wearing off, negative industry stigma, lack of socialization, cluttered interfaces, streamlined design, perceived disposability, short play session focus, aggressive monetization, and general phone fatigue.
Global game content revenue forecast to rise 2.3% to $229.1bn in 2030, supported by PC and Asia-Pacific market
Global game content revenue is projected to reach $229.1 billion by 2030, growing at a 2.3% CAGR, driven by publishers focusing on monetizing existing players through live services and in-game purchases. The Asia-Pacific region and PC platform are expected to lead this growth, with cloud gaming being the fastest-growing segment. However, rising hardware costs, inflation, and increased development expenses pose challenges.
ArcheAge S Strait of Freedom discusses its sandboxy game loops, design choices, and monetization
XL Games provided details on ArcheAge S: Strait of Freedom, an upcoming MMORPG set to launch in the second quarter of next year. The game aims to refine the sandbox gameplay loops of the original ArcheAge, focusing on progression, combat, competition, and conflict, with features like personal housing instances and cross-server PvP. Monetization will include a membership, passes, and a cosmetics shop.
MMO Week in Review: Destiny 2’s revival, Aion 2’s stress test
This week's MMO news covers Destiny 2's revival with unvaulted content, Aion 2's stress test, and Ultima Online's 29th anniversary. Dune Awakening launched on consoles, Elder Scrolls Online discussed experimental features, and Microsoft continued layoffs. World of Warcraft Forever is impressing players, while other news includes The Division 2, Marathon, Warframe, and various other MMO updates and discussions.
"It genuinely breaks my heart"- Confusion and frustration reign as gaming communities react to Xbox's drastic restructuring this week
Xbox has undergone a significant restructuring this week, leading to widespread layoffs and the impending closure of Ninja Theory. Studios like Obsidian Entertainment, Rare, and World's Edge have been re-assigned to different publishing arms within Xbox's ecosystem, causing confusion and frustration among players and developers regarding future game development and monetization strategies.
The EU KIDS Act: What game developers need to know
The proposed EU KIDS Act introduces significant restrictions for online games sold in EU territories, particularly concerning minors under 18. Key provisions include prohibitions on features like login bonuses and penalties for not playing, restrictions on interactions between minors, and new regulations for AI companions. The act also touches upon virtual currency transparency and lootboxes, though their inclusion in the operative text for games is unclear. Game developers must assess how these regulations will impact core gameplay mechanics and design choices.
