Monetization
Ongoing coverage on Monetization.
Latest coverage
XSOLLA RELEASES NEW INDUSTRY REPORT IDENTIFYING THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE OF VIDEO GAMES FOR DEVELOPERS
Xsolla's latest report identifies key opportunities for video game developers, highlighting the growing importance of direct-to-player commerce, expansion into high-growth global markets like India and Southeast Asia, and the strategic use of AI to improve operations. The report emphasizes that studios adapting their commercial strategies and embracing these trends are best positioned for future success.
Epic Games needs Fortnite players to "help pay the bills" as the multi-billion-dollar company raises V-Bucks prices while making Battle Passes and Crew way worse in value
Epic Games is increasing the price of V-Bucks and reducing the value of Battle Passes and other in-game purchases for Fortnite, citing rising operational costs. Despite the company's high valuation, players will see reduced V-Bucks amounts in packs and subscriptions, with Battle Passes offering less overall value.
XSOLLA UNVEILS ITS NEXT ERA OF GAME COMMERCE AT GDC FESTIVAL OF GAMING 2026
Xsolla announced its participation in GDC Festival of Gaming 2026, unveiling a rebranded platform focused on empowering developers with tools for direct-to-consumer commerce, player ownership, and sustainable business growth. Key announcements include expanded local payment integrations across EMEA and Asia, a new Reseller Program for market expansion, integrated SDK features, and the launch of Xsolla Agency for IP licensing.
XSOLLA TO PARTICIPATE AS PLATINUM SPONSOR AT THE POCKET GAMER CONNECTS SUMMIT SAN FRANCISCO 2026 SPOTLIGHTING MONETIZATION INNOVATION IN MOBILE AND AI FOR GAMES
Xsolla will be a Platinum Partner at the Pocket Gamer Connects Summit San Francisco 2026, focusing on monetization innovation in mobile games and AI. The event will feature discussions on mobile growth, platform diversification, and AI adoption, with Xsolla hosting a session on building monetization mixes for 2026.
EA Lays Off Staff Across All Battlefield Studios Following Record-Breaking Battlefield 6 Launch - IGN
Electronic Arts has laid off an unknown number of employees across its Battlefield studios, including Criterion, Dice, Ripple Effect, and Motive Studios, as part of a "realignment." This follows the record-breaking launch of Battlefield 6 in 2025, which has since faced criticism for its live service support, monetization, and declining player counts. The company states these layoffs are unrelated to its pending acquisition by an investor group.
Are Game Sprays Worth It? Players Question Cosmetic Utility in 2026
Players are questioning the utility and value of cosmetic items like game sprays, with many wondering when they will actually use them. This discussion touches on broader themes of player engagement and monetization, as developers balance profitability with meaningful content for players. The feedback suggests a potential shift towards more selective and valuable cosmetic offerings in future games.
'We're Discussing Ways to Improve': Marathon Dev Tweaking Monetisation and Difficulty as FPS Fails to Blow Up
Bungie is making adjustments to Marathon's monetization and difficulty following a decline in player numbers on PC and an unspecified performance on consoles. The studio is increasing the amount of in-game currency purchased with real money and will refund players who bought previous bundles. Upcoming updates will also address game difficulty by increasing objective marker visibility and the spawn rates of essential items.
Overwatch 2 Midseason Skins Drop March 10 with Void Venture Concept Art
Blizzard Entertainment is releasing a new midseason skin collection for Overwatch 2 on March 10th, featuring "Void Venture" and "Sigma" designs. The concept art for these premium cosmetics has generated excitement within the community, while also reigniting discussions about the game's monetization strategy and the balance between cosmetic updates and new gameplay content.
Marathon tweaks cash shop currency bundles and promotes launch with a hidden camera prank
Bungie has adjusted the currency bundles for its extraction shooter Marathon's in-game cash shop, Lux, increasing the amount of currency per pack and offering credits for past purchases. The studio also released a promotional video featuring a hidden camera prank to promote the game's launch.
WWE 2K26 Review So Far - IGN
The WWE 2K26 review indicates a solid, albeit iterative, entry in the series, building on previous mechanics with new additions like the 'winded' stamina state and expanded match types. However, concerns are raised about the persistent issues with the reversal system, the presence of monetization through battle passes, and the limitations of the CM Punk-themed Showcase mode, suggesting a potential end to the series' current golden age.
Marathon players rip ‘worst value for your money’ battle pass, and they definitely have a point
Players of Bungie's new live-service shooter Marathon are criticizing its first battle pass, calling it the "worst value for your money." Concerns include the lack of premium currency rewards and the overall low quality of cosmetic items offered, especially compared to other live-service titles. Players are urging others to not purchase the pass to send a message to the developer.
Marathon’s initial launch sees solid early numbers, monetization complaints, and a few odd bugs
Marathon, Bungie's new PvPvE Extraction FPS, has seen strong initial player numbers on PC with over 88,000 players on Steam and positive user reviews across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. However, the launch has also been met with complaints regarding the monetization of in-game skins and cash shop bundles, as well as some bugs and issues with pre-order reward delivery.
New Research Proves What We Already Knew: Women Are Underserved By Game Industry
New research from Ampere Analysis indicates that women constitute 48% of the gaming market, yet often cite a lack of suitable games and toxic communities as barriers. While games like The Sims 4 and Animal Crossing: New Horizons are popular for their customization options, they can also feature expensive DLC and monetization schemes. Despite slow progress, some titles like Apex Legends have shown improvements in inclusivity, though challenges with player communities and business practices persist.
Marathon promises to avoid stressful FOMO-inducing battle passes, and that there's "no pay for power" microtransactions
Bungie has detailed Marathon's seasonal reward passes, confirming they will remain in the game permanently and will not expire, unlike typical battle passes in live service games. The developer emphasized that there will be no "pay for power" microtransactions, with premium currency only used for cosmetics and in-game currency earnable without real money.
Marathon Is Live, But Deluxe Edition And Other Bonuses May Be Missing For Now
Bungie's new sci-fi extraction shooter Marathon is now live, but players are experiencing delays in receiving Deluxe Edition bonuses, Twitch Drop rewards, and other earned items. The developer is investigating these issues, with some rewards potentially taking up to 48 hours to appear. Despite these initial hiccups, the game is performing well on Steam, with a high concurrent player count.
Marathon’s Rewards Passes Won’t Expire and You Can’t Pay for Power, Says Bungie
Bungie has clarified that Marathon's Rewards Passes will not expire and can be purchased from previous seasons, with content unlockable through gameplay or an optional Premium Pass for cosmetics. The developer emphasizes that there is no "pay for power" system in the game, and all seasonal gameplay content will be free for all players. Marathon is launching today for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Beyond the Paywall: The Rise of
The gaming industry is shifting towards social-first platforms that prioritize community and open access over traditional paywalls. These platforms leverage virtual currencies, sweepstakes mechanics, and social features like group chats and shared goals to drive engagement and retention. Mobile gaming dominates this space, with projections indicating significant market growth driven by evolving monetization strategies and expanding demographics.
The Sims 4's new paid mods aren't paying their creators enough
Electronic Arts has launched The Sims 4 Marketplace, a new store for user-created mods. However, the revenue share offered to creators is significantly lower than that of platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, raising concerns about creator compensation.
The Sims 4 is going the way of Roblox with a new marketplace where anyone can make moola from their custom creations
Electronic Arts is introducing a new marketplace and maker program for The Sims 4, allowing players to create and sell custom content like clothing and furniture. This move mirrors systems seen in games like Roblox and Fortnite, enabling creators to earn money from their creations through a virtual currency called Moola, with creators receiving a 30% cut of sales. The program is set to launch on March 17th.
The Sims announces a Creation Club-style Marketplace and Maker program enabling content creators to sell their work…
Electronic Arts is launching The Sims 4 Marketplace, an in-game destination for players to purchase new content, and the Sims Maker Program, which allows approved creators to sell their work. The Marketplace will feature "Maker Packs" of custom content, with creators earning 30% of sales made using the new virtual currency, Moola. The program aims to bring official custom content to consoles for the first time and is set to launch on PC and Mac on March 17.
