Monetization
Ongoing coverage on Monetization.
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MMO Week in Review: 213
Microsoft's significant layoffs have heavily impacted the Elder Scrolls Online live team, reducing its size to that of 2015-2018. This week also saw Warframe's TennoCon, Aion 2 previewing its monetization, Tencent acquiring the PlanetSide franchise, Star Trek Online launching Undiscovered, and Gamigo porting Fiesta Online to consoles.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Sails Past 2 Million Sales In Just One Day
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced achieved over 2 million sales on its launch day, topping Twitch and Steam charts. However, some players expressed dissatisfaction with the game's expensive downloadable content and monetization strategies.
Betawatch: Palworld’s launch, EverQuest Legends’ monetization
This week's Betawatch covers the official launch of Palworld and ongoing discussions surrounding the monetization strategies of EverQuest Legends and Aion 2. The article also highlights various games in different testing phases, including EVE Vanguard's open alpha and updates for titles like Scars of Honor and Bitcraft.
Reactional Music wins €2.5 million EIC grant to scale music as a new monetisation layer in gaming
Reactional Music, a platform focused on integrating programmable music into games, has secured a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council, with potential for up to €9 million in total funding. This investment will support the company's commercial expansion, including scaling music delivery, optimizing SDKs for game engines, and establishing music as a new monetization layer within the gaming economy.
EverQuest Legends details currency plan, cash shop prices, and storage perks ahead of launch
Daybreak Game Company has detailed the monetization plans for EverQuest Legends, addressing community concerns about currency and cash shop prices. The game will feature an in-game currency called Iridium, with items like class unlock tokens costing around $15. The developers also confirmed increases to starting loadout and equipment slots, with additional storage and loadout options to be earned through gameplay post-launch.
Less than 3 years after it launched on Steam, the Final Fantasy 7 gacha game is closing
Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis will cease operations on October 6, less than three years after its launch. The sale of in-game currency has already been halted, and the game will be permanently taken offline. While the reasons were not specified, the game received mixed reviews on Steam and has seen a decline in player numbers.
Aion 2 releases monetization plan with optional $15 sub, battle pass, cash shop, and founder packs
NCsoft has detailed the monetization strategy for the global edition of Aion 2, set to launch this fall as a free-to-play title. The plan includes an optional $15 monthly subscription, battle passes, a cash shop primarily for cosmetics and consumables, and founder packs. The game will feature two currencies, Kina earned through gameplay and Quna as the premium currency, with an exchange system similar to Guild Wars 2.
Wings of Heroes raises the stakes with campaigns, jets and deeper progression
Wings of Heroes has introduced significant updates to its game progression and in-game economy, including new campaign systems, time-limited jet campaigns featuring the F-16, and a skill-based Time Trial mode. These changes represent a strategic shift towards a more scalable gameplay ecosystem with deeper player engagement and new monetization opportunities. The mobile air combat game, developed by Ten Square Games, aims to move beyond individual battle sessions into a more structured and rewarding player journey.
"Game execs remain stupid detached money grubbing idiots": Former Xbox boss wanted Halo 4 to copy Diablo 3's horrible real-money auction house, dev says
A former Xbox executive, Don Mattrick, suggested that Halo 4 should implement a real-money auction house for in-game items, similar to Diablo 3's controversial feature. This suggestion was recalled by a recently laid-off Halo designer, Dan Callan, who criticized the detachment of executives from game development realities and the negative impact of such monetization strategies.
EverQuest Legends’ reduced inventories in pre-order beta raise fears of over-monetization
Players are expressing concerns about perceived over-monetization in EverQuest Legends' pre-order beta, citing reduced inventory slots and convenience features. Developers Daybreak Game Company and Game Jawn have acknowledged that some of these features will be tied to the cash shop or achievements, with executive producer David Youssefi stating this monetization model was decided upon long ago.
Marvel Rivals After 6 Months for Adults | TAG
Six months after its launch in late 2024, Marvel Rivals remains a viable live service option for busy adults, offering short matches and a casual mode that respects player time. While the battle pass progression can be demanding, the game's design elements, including cross-platform play and hero variety, make it sustainable for those with limited weekly hours, though ranked play requires significant commitment.
Live Service Games Worth Your Time 2026 | TAG
This guide offers strategies for busy adults to navigate the demanding landscape of live service games in 2026. It advises prioritizing titles like Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, and Helldivers 2 that respect limited playtime, while cautioning against games with excessive daily logins, battle pass pressure, or overwhelming grind. The article also provides a framework for quitting games that become obligations and discusses ethical monetization practices.
Discussing unionization, layoffs, and monetization
A Game Developer podcast episode, featuring analysts from GDC and Omdia, discusses key findings from the GDC 2024 State of the Game Industry report. The conversation covers trends in monetization, industry layoffs, and conglomeration, as well as developer opinions on unionization, with younger developers showing significantly higher support.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
Hearing about the future of PlayStation from its top dogs made me so depressed I had to go lie down
Sony Interactive Entertainment executives discussed PlayStation's future focus on monetizing its existing user base through recurring revenue like PS Plus, rather than solely on increasing Monthly Active Users. They also highlighted Artificial Intelligence as a key foundational technology for improving development efficiency and player experience in the long term, while aiming to deliver unique value for next-generation platforms beyond PC alternatives.
PS5, Xbox, And Switch 2: Here’s How Their Prices Have Changed Since Launch
Console prices have significantly increased across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch models due to global economic factors and component shortages. By mid-2026, prices for many consoles have risen by hundreds of dollars, with the PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X nearing $1,000. Companies are also exploring further monetization strategies for software and services.
New Aion 2 dev video confirms monetization plans and features for the September global launch
Aion 2 developers have confirmed monetization plans for its September global launch, including a cosmetics shop, a battle pass with free and paid tracks, and an optional $15 monthly subscription. The game will feature eight classes, a seamless open world with air and underwater traversal, over 200 dungeons, and large-scale PvP battles.
MMO Business Roundup: EA’s latest layoffs, Overwatch’s pricy cosmetics, and GAAS nuance
This business roundup covers recent events in the MMO industry, including layoffs at Electronic Arts affecting recruitment, customer support, trust and safety, and IT teams. Former Path of Exile developer Chris Wilson shared nuanced views on live service games, acknowledging drawbacks like problematic monetization and player demands. Additionally, Overwatch's high-priced Nyan Cafe cosmetic skins have drawn community backlash.
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round Review - Back for more
Dead or Alive 6: Last Round is a "definitive edition" that offers minimal additions to the original 2019 release, making its value proposition questionable. While the core gameplay remains deep and engaging with its Triangle System and Break Gauge mechanics, the story mode is incoherent, and the "Last Round" update fails to address significant issues like aggressive monetization, poor netcode, and a lack of substantial new content. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, developed by Team Ninja and published by Koei Tecmo Games.
Path of Exile used to think 'live service was entirely upside, in all cases', but 10 years of experience and games like Baldur's Gate 3 have shown him another way
Chris Wilson, co-creator of Path of Exile, has re-evaluated his stance on live service games, acknowledging their drawbacks after a decade of experience and observing titles like Baldur's Gate 3. While he initially saw live service as purely beneficial, he now recognizes the complexities of community feedback and the pressures of constant updates, noting that finished, single-player games offer a different, valuable experience.
