Monetization
Ongoing coverage on Monetization.
Latest coverage
Microsoft-owned studios negotiate to avoid closures as CEO wants *more* monetization in games
Microsoft-owned studios are reportedly negotiating for independence to avoid potential closures amidst an Xbox 'reset.' CEO Satya Nadella is pushing for increased monetization in games, stating that Xbox has historically subsidized its entertainment. This comes as Microsoft faces layoffs and questions about the profitability of its recent Activision Blizzard acquisition.
EA, the big brains behind The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff, announce they're "transforming how brands connect with audiences" – with in-game billboards
Electronic Arts has announced a new advertising platform that allows brands to place advertisements within their games, aiming to "transform how brands connect with audiences." This initiative includes in-game billboards and custom brand experiences, such as Mountain Dew's Dew University in Madden NFL. The article critiques this move, suggesting it's a way for EA to generate revenue to offset debt from a leveraged buyout and questioning if it will lead to more creative games or further brand integration.
EA announces new way to bring advertisements "directly into gameplay"
Electronic Arts has launched EA Advertising, a new platform focused on integrating advertisements directly into its games, particularly within the EA Sports portfolio. The company aims to leverage its large player base for targeted ad placements, utilizing a proprietary ad server and measurement standards. Examples include branded jerseys in EA Sports FC 26 and product placements in games like Skate and The Sims.
As Xbox eyes layoffs, Microsoft's CEO says its videogames aren't monetised enough—so it's not the cancelled games or $68.7 billion deals or AI overspending, then
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that the company's video games are not sufficiently monetized, suggesting this is the core issue rather than cancelled projects or large acquisitions. This comes amid layoffs at Xbox, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma calling for a "reset" to better meet fan expectations. The article also touches on the rising costs of game development and the industry's struggle to find sustainable monetization models.
EA is going all-in on in-game ads, further blurring the line between games and reality
Electronic Arts is significantly increasing its focus on in-game advertising across its titles. This strategic shift aims to boost revenue streams, further integrating commercial elements into the gaming experience.
Say hello to EA Advertising, which will let your favourite brands 'integrate' ads to 'enhance' your…
Electronic Arts has launched EA Advertising, a new platform enabling brands to integrate advertisements into its games. Initially targeting sports titles like EA Sports FC and Madden NFL, these "in-game integrations" will feature dynamic placements, branded content, and reward-driven objectives. EA claims its games reach over 120 million players monthly, presenting a significant opportunity for advertisers to "enhance" player experiences.
Aion 2 KR details July 1’s Chapter 1 content and condenses its multiple optional subscriptions into one
NCsoft is simplifying Aion 2's monetization in Korea by merging its multiple optional subscriptions into a single ₩25,000 ($17 USD) plan offering various benefits. Additionally, the game will receive its Chapter 1 content update on July 1st, introducing the Monk class, new areas, a level cap increase to 50, and a 100-player battle royale mode. Future updates will include sailing, fishing, and housing features.
Microsoft CEO admits "there's more monetization of Xbox games happening on YouTube" than the company as it tries to "turn this into a sustainable business"
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that the company needs to make Xbox a sustainable business, noting that more monetization of Xbox games occurs on YouTube than within Microsoft itself. He acknowledged industry-wide challenges like rising manufacturing costs and the need to define Xbox's future strategy to ensure economic relevance for both the company and its customers.
Games Industry Fatigue: 80% of Mobile Developers say engagement strategies lack innovation for growth
A new study of 195 mobile game industry leaders reveals that 80% believe current engagement and retention strategies lack innovation, leading to player fatigue. Developers are struggling to balance monetization with user experience and are hesitant to innovate due to fear of impacting key performance indicators. The study suggests a shift towards personalized experiences and real-money rewards to drive future growth.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox must become a sustainable business
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that the company's focus for Xbox is shifting towards making the business financially sustainable, rather than continuing to heavily subsidize it. He noted that monetization efforts have not always been successful, with more revenue sometimes generated on platforms like YouTube than by Microsoft itself. Nadella also touched on rising hardware costs due to semiconductor shortages and the need to integrate PC, console, and mobile gaming experiences.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars’ Orr, Elder Scrolls’ U50, and EVE’s Cradle of War
This week's MMO news roundup covers Guild Wars 3's monetization and setting, Elder Scrolls Online's new difficulty settings, EVE Online's Cradle of War expansion, and Blizzard's lawsuit against a World of Warcraft emulator. It also touches on Destiny 2 entering maintenance mode, Camelot Unchained's early access, and the ongoing discussions around the Lord of the Rings MMO and industry layoffs.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox needs to be more sustainable: "We've not been monetizing that entertainment"
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that Xbox needs to become more economically sustainable and find better ways to monetize its entertainment offerings, as the company has been subsidizing rather than profiting from its products. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is leading a 100-day reset to address challenges including hardware costs, declining revenue, and the need for engineering self-reliance. While console exclusives are a focus, PC and cloud versions will remain available.
Xbox's new chief strategy officer is still a big believer in in-game ads
Matthew Ball, the new chief strategy officer for Xbox, believes in-game advertising will become more prevalent in PC and console games as a vital revenue stream. He argues that rising development and hardware costs necessitate new monetization strategies to keep games affordable for consumers and ensure industry growth, drawing parallels to the success of ad-supported tiers in streaming services.
Guild Wars 3 Will Not Have a Subscription Fee or Battle Pass — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
ArenaNet has confirmed that Guild Wars 3 will adopt a pay-to-play model without a subscription fee or battle pass, aligning with the series' tradition of players purchasing content to access it. The company also stated that Guild Wars 2 and Guild Wars 1 will continue to be supported alongside Guild Wars 3 development, with plans for new content and features for the older titles, including UI improvements and Steam Deck support for Guild Wars 1.
Immortal Rising 2 June Update: New Pet System & Picnic Event
Immortal Rising 2 has released its June update, introducing a new Pet System for companions in battle and a seasonal Picnic Event. The update also includes limited-time packages with resources for upgrades and aims to enhance player engagement and progression within the AFK action RPG.
Pokemon Champions’ Battle Pass isn’t worth it, and why that’s a good thing
Pokemon Champions, a competitive battle simulator for Nintendo Switch, features a Battle Pass and membership options, but its monetization is not overly aggressive. While membership may be worthwhile for dedicated players, the Battle Pass is deemed not worth the $9.99 cost, as most of its exclusive rewards can be obtained through other in-game means or are purely cosmetic.
Progress Bar: Skate Season 4 continues its trend of fun… and worrisome monetization
The author expresses mixed feelings about the early access progression of Skate, particularly concerning its monetization strategies and battle pass system. While enjoying the core gameplay and new additions like the finger flip trick and San Van Open theme, concerns are raised about paywalling new skate parks and the overall value proposition for casual players.
Pi Network Enhances Gaming Ecosystem with CiDi Games Developer Center Launch
CiDi Games has launched a Developer Center to attract game developers to the Pi Network, providing tools, an SDK for rapid integration, and monetization models. The Pi Network ecosystem also expands with four new games, enhancing user utility and interaction. This development occurs alongside significant market activity, including a large token accumulation, and protocol upgrades aimed at improving node performance and smart contract capabilities.
Goals does a lot of things better than FC 26, but sadly gameplay isn't one of them
Goals offers a more player-respectful approach to Ultimate Team-style modes than EA Sports FC 26, with unique player progression and a simpler monetization system. However, despite its 'gameplay first' promise, the game suffers from clunky dribbling and passing, and unbalanced shooting mechanics, requiring significant improvement to compete.
Former BioWare producer says we could be saved from a world where there's 'no AAA games that aren't live…
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah suggests the AAA gaming industry could learn from Hollywood's business models to avoid a future dominated solely by live service games. He argues that the current reliance on microtransactions and live services discourages innovation and the exploration of diverse game genres. Darrah proposes that adopting strategies like tiered release windows and more varied subscription models could lead to a healthier and more sustainable industry.
