Monetization
Ongoing coverage on Monetization.
Latest coverage
Multiplayer creature capturing RPG Aniimo officially goes live – here’s what its monetization looks like
The multiplayer creature-capturing RPG Aniimo has officially launched as a free-to-play title, detailing its monetization strategy which includes a monthly pass, a premium battle pass track, and a cash shop utilizing Lumin Crystals. The cash shop offers cosmetic outfits, in-game currency, leveling materials, and items for capturing Aniimo, with some earnable in-game. Pawprint Studios is also offering launch bonuses for PC and console players, with a mobile version planned for September 23rd.
Is Aniimo a gacha game?
Aniimo is not a gacha game, despite initial appearances and a previous beta event called Rift Exploration that functioned similarly. Developer Pawprint Studio has removed the gacha mechanics due to player backlash, opting instead for a monetization model focused on cosmetics, shop bundles, and a battle pass system. Players can acquire Aniimo through gameplay, hatching eggs, and completing events.
Roblox will allow devs to release games as standalone apps on other stores
Roblox Corporation is enabling developers to release their games as standalone applications on external platforms like Steam, the App Store, and Google Play. This initiative, announced at the Roblox Developers Conference, aims to provide developers with new tools and audiences, while maintaining similar revenue-share economics to the Roblox app. The company is also introducing new engine capabilities, AI tools, and financial offerings for creators.
Roblox unveils plans for standalone app creation, a direct payment wallet, and more gen AI tools
Roblox Corp announced several new features at its Developers Conference, including plans for standalone app creation, expanded generative AI tools, and new monetization features like Roblox Wallet and Roblox Card. While the company aims to showcase innovation, a protestor interrupted CEO David Baszucki's presentation to raise concerns about child safety and AI.
Roblox creators will soon be able to publish games on multiple platforms as standalone apps
Roblox is launching its 'Roblox Everywhere' initiative, allowing creators to publish their games as standalone apps across PC, mobile, and console platforms. The company also announced updates to its engine, including AI creation tools and enhanced UI features. New financial features like Roblox Wallet and Roblox Card will provide creators with faster access to earnings, though the company noted a recent decline in shares due to reduced monetization among younger users.
The Daily Grind: How are you feeling about WoW Forever’s Skyborne race being stuffed into store bundles?
Blizzard Entertainment has controversially placed the WoW Forever Skyborne race and its associated content behind a $30 minimum bundle purchase, separate from the regular World of Warcraft subscription. This decision has drawn criticism for its aggressive monetization strategy within the MMORPG genre.
MMO Week in Review: Foreverrrrr
BlizzCon 2026 saw major announcements including a new open-world StarCraft shooter, Diablo V for 2029, and World of Warcraft Forever launching soon. The event also revealed World of Warcraft's next retail expansion, The Last Titan, and sparked controversy over World of Warcraft Forever's monetization. Other news included the sunsetting of Ship of Heroes, layoffs at Pantheon Rise of the Fallen, and business dealings involving ArcheAge.
Cinder City confirms a roster of five characters, monetization model, and upcoming test plans
NCsoft's post-apocalyptic shooter MMO, Cinder City, will launch with five characters and a box price model, supplemented by a cosmetics shop and battle passes. Upcoming testing includes pre-alpha for EU, South America, and Asia, followed by alpha in Q4 and beta. The game is slated for a PC launch first, with consoles to follow, and crossplay status is undecided.
Why Casual Gamers Are Drawn to Short, Reward-Heavy Games
This article analyzes the psychological design behind virtual currencies in games like Overwatch 2 and Path of Exile, explaining how they reduce the 'pain of paying' and encourage spending. It contrasts Blizzard's fixed-rate currency with Grinding Gear Games' player-driven orb economy, noting how these models influence player behavior and can extend beyond gaming into other digital products.
John Buccigross says EA is ‘using some AI stuff’ in NHL 27 development
NHL 27's play-by-play announcer John Buccigross confirmed that Electronic Arts used AI to generate commentary in his voice for the game. This raises questions about EA's marketing claims and the game's aggressive monetization strategies, especially in modes like World of Chel.
Massively on the Go: Scopely sold out players for Go Fest 2026’s Go Fest Finale
The Pokemon Go 10th Anniversary Go Fest Finale, dubbed the Mega Finale, was a significant disappointment, marked by player dissatisfaction with the over-reliance on Mewtwo and the convoluted Mega Evolution system. Scopely's monetization strategies and perceived lack of value in event tickets led to low player turnout and morale, with many criticizing the company's approach as 'milking' the player base rather than celebrating the game's anniversary.
Pokémon Go is Milking Mewtwo Too Hard, Fans Say, After a Lackluster Weekend Event Marred by More Server Issues
Fans are expressing frustration with Pokémon Go, stating that the game is over-monetizing the popular creature Mewtwo. A recent weekend event was marred by server issues, further contributing to player dissatisfaction.
Massively Overthinking: Is it wise for MMORPGs to court older gamers?
This article discusses the strategy of targeting older gamers, specifically those aged 50 and older, for MMORPGs. While some see it as a smart move due to disposable income and attention span, others question its long-term sustainability and the potential neglect of younger players.
Sea of Thieves promises changes to its cash shop that swing the balance back to earnable cosmetics
Sea of Thieves production director Drew Stevens announced upcoming changes to the game's cash shop, set to begin in October with Season 21. These changes will introduce smaller bundles of high-quality items, more brand collaborations, and cosmetics inspired by Rare's back catalog, while in-game currency cosmetics will see a stronger offering. Additionally, a planned experiment will remove a ship's emissary status upon portal hopping to address PvP player utilization.
Sony makes twice as much money from you on PS5 compared to PS4
Sony is prioritizing monetizing existing PlayStation 5 owners over acquiring new ones, as the company makes significantly more revenue per user on the current generation console compared to the PlayStation 4. This strategy focuses on recurring revenue from services like PlayStation Plus and digital purchases, while physical game sales decline.
Getting GTA Online players to move on to GTA 6 Online is going to be "a mess" for Rockstar, Valve veteran says
Valve veteran Chet Faliszek believes transitioning players from Grand Theft Auto Online to a potential Grand Theft Auto 6 Online will be a significant challenge for Rockstar Games. He questions how Rockstar will convince players to abandon a decade of investment and suggests that improved monetization will be a key, albeit potentially controversial, driver for the move. Faliszek also notes that Rockstar's strategy of delaying the online component at launch is a smart move to avoid initial backlash.
MMO Business Roundup: Savvy Games’ CEO, Nvidia’s AI filter, and PlayStation 5’s monetization
This business roundup covers several key developments in the gaming industry. Savvy Games Group's CEO Brian Ward is stepping down, Nvidia's DLSS AI filter is criticized for negatively impacting game performance, and Sony's CEO Hiroki Totoki outlined plans to focus on monetizing the existing PlayStation 5 user base, particularly PlayStation Plus subscribers.
Reading the Meta: Which Skin Aesthetics Hold Community Favor Long-Term
This analysis explores the psychological design of virtual economies in live-service games, contrasting Blizzard's Overwatch 2 coin system with Grinding Gear Games' orb-based economy in Path of Exile. It argues that proprietary currencies reduce the 'pain of paying' and discusses how these principles have influenced other digital sectors like crypto and loyalty programs.
Roblox Bans Games That Pay Kids to Keep Scrolling in Wake of Steal an Egg Uproar
Roblox Corporation has updated its policies to ban games that reward players for continuous media feed consumption, following backlash over the popular game 'Steal an Egg.' This change aims to create a safer environment for younger users by prohibiting mechanics that combine infinite scrolling feeds with rewards. The update comes amidst ongoing investigations by the U.S. Senate and several states into allegations of child exploitation on the platform.
Roblox applies restrictions to games featuring "reward-driven media feeds" available in Roblox Kids and Select
Roblox has implemented a new policy restricting "reward-driven media feeds" within its Kids and Select categories. This change specifically targets games that combine media feeds with mechanics like autoplay, infinite scroll, and rewards for continuous viewing, aiming to enhance child safety on the platform. The policy was reportedly enacted following issues with the game 'Steal an Egg'.
