Monetization
Ongoing coverage on Monetization.
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GTA 6 user-generated content monetization will make some players "millionaires," claims content creator who…
Content creator HipHopGamer claims that Grand Theft Auto 6's user-generated content tools, particularly when the game releases on PC, could allow players to earn significant amounts of money. He suggests that the monetization potential for UGC in GTA 6 will be even greater than what was seen with Grand Theft Auto 5's role-playing servers.
Review: Pokémon Champions (Switch) – The Most Accessible & Flawed Competitive Pokémon Has Ever Been
Pokémon Champions, a free-to-play competitive battling game for Nintendo Switch, simplifies training and team building but suffers from convoluted monetization and disappointing performance. While it makes competitive Pokémon more accessible by streamlining IVs, EVs, and move sets, its free-to-play model includes restrictive storage limits and costly recurring subscriptions for essential features. The game's technical issues, including poor frame rates on Switch, further detract from the experience, making it a flawed yet potentially evolving entry in the Pokémon franchise.
PUBG and Stellar Blade come together in the unlikeliest collab, and it'll make your wallet cry
PUBG Battlegrounds has collaborated with Stellar Blade, adding Stellar Blade protagonist Eve as a new cosmetic character. Players can unlock Eve's outfits and hairstyles through a gacha system, which is noted for its high potential cost. The update also introduces a new game mode called Xeno Point and other map and attachment changes.
The Cube, Save Us Becomes the Latest Live-Service Cautionary Tale
Developer and publisher XLGAMES has announced that its MMO extraction shooter, The Cube, Save Us, will be shutting down on May 8th due to a significant drop in player count and overwhelmingly negative Steam reviews. Refunds will be issued for legitimate purchases made on Steam. This marks another cautionary tale in the live-service genre, following recent shutdowns like Krafton's PUBG: Blindspot.
A decade ago, Call of Duty sidelined its iconic progression system to dabble in gacha instead, and I was glad I'd…
A decade after Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare introduced weapon variants tied to gacha mechanics through Supply Drops, the article reflects on how this monetization strategy impacted the game. While the variants offered unique gameplay tweaks, their acquisition was heavily reliant on RNG, a system that has persisted in various forms throughout the Call of Duty franchise.
Arknights: Endfield lead says good gacha systems don't "impact the player's ability to enjoy the gameplay," and Endfield is "trying" to fix its confusing gacha
Ryan, lead developer for Arknights: Endfield, discussed the game's confusing gacha system and monetization methods in an interview. He stated that a good gacha system should not impede a player's ability to enjoy the gameplay, regardless of whether they are free-to-play or paying users. The team is working to refine the system based on player feedback and data.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 appears to earn an estimated $30 thousand on Steam per negative review
GameDiscoverCo has released an unconventional analysis of Steam sales data, highlighting metrics like revenue per negative review. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 reportedly earns an estimated $30,000 for every negative review, indicating significant revenue despite player dissatisfaction. The analysis also touches on player sentiment, game abandonment, and the impact of multiplayer and free-to-play models on reviews.
"That is an $11,000 gold texture": Steam researcher says "supporter packs" make a lot of free money because PC gamers love to spend on their favorite games
Steam researcher Chris Zukowski argues that PC game developers should offer supporter packs and digital soundtracks as day-one DLC, even for free-to-play titles. He highlights examples where these offerings generated significant revenue with minimal development effort, suggesting PC gamers are willing to spend extra on games they enjoy through these non-gameplay affecting DLCs.
The Sims 4 Mod Marketplace Everyone's Mad About Is Reportedly Exceeding EA's Expectations
Electronic Arts' controversial paid mod marketplace for The Sims 4 is reportedly exceeding expectations, according to an insider report. The company is also aware of leaks regarding a future single-player title, codenamed Project X, and is discussing potential changes to its monetization and map design in response to community feedback.
Cozy MMO Spirit Crossing talks about the ‘elephant in the room’ of monetization
Spry Fox is addressing concerns about the monetization strategy for their upcoming cozy MMO, Spirit Crossing. While the studio's natural tendency is to under-monetize, they acknowledge the need for revenue to cover server costs and salaries, especially after Netflix is no longer backing the title. The current plan includes an upfront purchase price and optional purchases for cosmetic items and perks.
MMO Week in Review: EverQuest’s legacy, Camelot out of chains
This week's MMO news includes Daybreak's announcement of EverQuest Legacy, a spinoff of the classic game, and the surprise early access launch of Camelot Unchained after eight years in beta. Several other MMOs received updates, including V Rising, New World, and EverQuest II, while Epic Games faced significant layoffs due to overspending and a slump in Fortnite's performance.
The Elder Scrolls: Blades Has Been De-Listed From Stores, Servers Shutting Down on June 30
Bethesda is shutting down the free-to-play RPG The Elder Scrolls: Blades, with servers going offline on June 30th, 2026. The game has also been de-listed from all platform stores. Players are being given a bundle of in-game currency to enjoy the remaining content.
EverQuest Legends details monetization, class switching, races, zones, and more in new FAQ
EverQuest Legends will launch in July with a subscription model separate from existing services, alongside a cash shop for cosmetic and utility items. The game will feature selectable difficulty settings for zones, housing at launch, and a multiclassing system allowing players to switch primary and secondary classes. Beta testing is expected in April, with the Kunark expansion already in development.
New Pokemon Go Update May Have An Item That Catches Pokemon For You
A new in-game item called the Explorer Gadget may be coming to Pokemon Go, allowing players to automatically throw Poke Balls and spin Pokestops. This device would eliminate the need for external accessories like the Go Plus. It is speculated that the item will be monetized by the developer, though details on pricing or subscription models remain unknown.
Pixels Launches Stacked, an AI
Pixels has launched Stacked, an internal AI-driven rewards and engagement platform, to external game studios after four years of development. The platform has already generated over $25 million in revenue and attracted one million daily active users for Pixels. Stacked aims to improve player retention and monetization by offering personalized rewards and insights, with potential applications beyond gaming.
A Game-Changing Monetization Experience?! Ragnarok Origin Classic Is Set to Revolutionize the MMO Market in the Philippines This Time
Ragnarok Origin Classic has announced a significant update removing all paid in-game content that affects numerical growth, retaining only a limited Monthly Pass. This change aims to eliminate pay-to-win disparities and refocus on core MMO elements like exploration and teamwork. The game also features unified attributes for cosmetic items and offers generous free rewards, challenging traditional monetization practices in the Southeast Asian MMO market.
Roblox insists plans to start charging creators for brand integrations ″is not about revenue at all″
Roblox has stated that its new plans for charging creators for brand integrations are not revenue-driven. The announcement has sparked debate among users, with many expressing concerns that it mirrors the introduction of microtransactions and could negatively impact game development and player experience.
GTA 6 Bets Show Fans Doubt Its $70 Price Tag
A significant portion of Grand Theft Auto 6 fans anticipate a price point above $70, with many betting on an $80 release. While some rumors suggested even higher prices, recent sentiment and comments from Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick suggest a price closer to $70-$80 is more likely, though the possibility of higher-priced special editions and continued microtransactions in its online component remains.
"Heavyweights ruined the industry... now we live on the indies" Nordic Game embraces smaller devs and games with soul
Nordic Game program director Jacob Riis believes the industry is currently sustained by independent developers, contrasting them with large studios that he feels have negatively impacted the market. He highlights the focus on creativity and artistic expression in indie games as a response to the profit-driven nature of many AAA titles and live service games. Riis also notes an increase in ticket sales for Nordic Game, suggesting a growing interest in smaller-scale events and developers.
Pokémon Champions is releasing on Nintendo Switch consoles in early April, but its "free-to-start" package raises some questions about its pricing model
Pokémon Champions is set to release on Nintendo Switch in early April, aiming to evolve the franchise's competitive scene. However, its "free-to-start" model, which includes a Battle Pass, Starter Pack, and Champions Membership, raises concerns about the overall cost for players seeking the best experience. The game will also allow transfers from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, but not from Pokémon Go.
