Monetization
Ongoing coverage on Monetization.
Latest coverage
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.
What Does It Take to Become an OnlyFans Model? Leading Qualities You Need
This guide outlines the key qualities needed to succeed as an OnlyFans model, emphasizing strategic consistency, audience awareness, and effective monetization strategies. It details how to leverage subscription pricing, pay-per-view content, tips, and direct messaging to maximize earnings, alongside the importance of content presentation and technical quality for viewer engagement and value perception.
Fortnite Community Questions Epic’s ‘Paying the Bills’ Priorities
Fortnite players are questioning Epic Games' priorities, with a viral Reddit post highlighting concerns that the company is more focused on monetization than core game improvements. Players note a disparity between frequent cosmetic releases and a lack of bug fixes and quality-of-life updates, leading to frustration about the balance between profit and player experience.
Riot Games initiates age verification and age blocks for its titles in Brazil following new digital safety law
Riot Games is implementing age verification and age blocks for its titles in Brazil in compliance with the new ECA Digital law. Players over 18 will need to verify their age to access most games, while those under 18 will have their accounts blocked until early 2027 when Riot plans to allow access with adult permission. The law also addresses concerns about compulsive use and monetization practices targeting minors.
MMO Week in Review: EverQuest celebrates 27 years and a lawsuit settlement in its favor
EverQuest celebrated its 27th anniversary with a lawsuit settlement that favors Daybreak Game Company, keeping emulators offline. This week also saw layoffs at Amazon for Lost Ark developers, Facebook scaling back VR metaverse ambitions, and discussions around various MMORPG updates and industry trends.
Overwatch 2 Players Launch Boycott Against Repetitive Character Skins
Overwatch 2 players are organizing a boycott against Blizzard Entertainment due to perceived favoritism in character cosmetic skins, primarily for Kiriko and Mercy. The community is urging players to "speak with their wallets" by not purchasing skins for these popular heroes, aiming to influence Blizzard's monetization strategy for live service games. This movement highlights player dissatisfaction with the distribution of in-game cosmetics and seeks a more equitable approach across all characters.
Mobile MMO MapleStory M’s arrival to Steam is met with a wave of monetization complaints from players
MapleStory M has launched on Steam, but its arrival has been met with significant player backlash regarding its monetization practices. Despite the addition of new content and features, many players are criticizing the game as pay-to-win and overmonetized, with some also citing it as a poor port.
Investor Who Urged Nintendo To Monetise Mario's Jumps Acquires Shares In Kadokawa
Oasis Management Company has acquired an 8.86% stake in Kadokawa, a Japanese media company that owns stakes in game developers like FromSoftware. The investment firm previously urged Nintendo to explore microtransactions for its games, suggesting potential changes for Kadokawa's subsidiaries.
Take-Two boss says he's not interested in putting ads into premium games: 'It would seem unfair'
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that the company is not interested in implementing advertisements in premium games, deeming it unfair to players who have paid full price. While acknowledging limited advertising in titles like NBA 2K that fits the in-game context, he believes interstitial ads are inappropriate for $70-$80 games. This stance contrasts with predictions of increased in-game advertising across PC and console titles as a new revenue stream.
Finding the Success Recipe for the Games Launching in 2026
This analysis discusses key elements for game success in 2026, emphasizing targeting specific audiences over universal appeal and avoiding excessive monetization. It highlights the importance of innovative yet familiar mechanics, unique visuals, careful music selection, and learning from both successful indie titles and established games like Baldur's Gate and Stardew Valley. The article also predicts increased AI involvement, personalization, genre mashups, and a greater need for social media discovery.
Bang! Creator Teams Up for New Chinese History Card Game 名将杀
名将杀, a new multiplayer identity deduction strategy card game, has been announced, featuring collaborative rule design by Emiliano Sciarra, the creator of Bang!. The game allows players to embody historical Chinese figures from various dynasties, utilizing card play and general skills to achieve victory through one of 16 distinct identities. Developers promise fair progression and non-predatory monetization, including free card draws and craftable generals, aiming to redefine historical card games.
PS5's Power Users Are Spending More Than Ever, and PS Portal Proves It
Sony is successfully increasing profitability from its core PlayStation 5 users, with PS Portal owners showing high engagement with premium services. Data indicates that 50% of PS Portal owners subscribe to PlayStation Plus Premium, and PS Portal usage has surged by 162% year-over-year since the introduction of cloud streaming functionality.
Weyrdlets 2.0 Launches, moving from Free-to-play to Paid While Removing Monetization
Malaysian studio Weyrdworks has launched Weyrdlets 2.0, transitioning its cozy desktop pet game from a free-to-play model to a paid one while removing all in-game monetization. The update, available on PC via Steam, introduces multiplayer, photo mode, desktop roaming, and makes all items earnable through gameplay. Players who previously downloaded the game will retain permanent access.
Trophy Hunter introduces Night Hunt - a new nighttime hunting experience
Trophy Hunter has introduced 'Night Hunt,' a new feature that transforms existing arenas into challenging nighttime environments with exclusive nocturnal animals and gameplay conditions. This update aims to expand the game's content and offer new competitive opportunities for players, including weekly events and a ticket system for participation. Players can earn recognition through achievement badges and rankings, with top performers receiving permanent profile displays.
Jeff Kaplan Reveals Shocking CFO Ultimatum That Ended His Blizzard Career
Former Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan revealed that a CFO's ultimatum regarding revenue targets for Overwatch was the primary reason for his departure from Blizzard Entertainment in 2021. This ultimatum, which threatened 1,000 layoffs if targets weren't met, is seen by the community as a catalyst for Overwatch 2's monetization issues and a symptom of broader industry toxicity.
