Monetization
Ongoing coverage on Monetization.
Latest coverage
"These sports games that were loved and revered... just went away" – How a group of ex-EA devs are launching a new NBA game
Play By Play, a studio founded by former Electronic Arts veterans, has announced its debut title, NBA: The Run, a three-vs-three street basketball game inspired by NBA Street. The game secured an official NBA license and aims to fill a market gap for arcade-style sports titles, differentiating itself from the simulation-focused NBA 2K series. The developers are prioritizing a focused, multiplayer experience without microtransactions at launch, with plans for community-driven evolution rather than annual releases.
Twitch's new Dual Format feature lets streamers broadcast horizontally and vertically at the same time
Twitch is launching a new Dual Format streaming feature next month, allowing creators to broadcast simultaneously in both horizontal and vertical orientations to optimize viewing for desktop and mobile users. The platform is also expanding 2K streaming, introducing Auto Clips, enhancing Stories, and updating monetization tools for creators.
Dragon Age and BioWare veteran says games could learn a thing or two from how the movie business makes money
BioWare veteran Mark Darrah suggests the video game industry could learn from the movie business's diverse revenue streams beyond initial sales. He argues that an over-reliance on microtransactions and live services stifles other genres and proposes exploring avenues like product placement to diversify income and prevent a future dominated solely by live service AAA games.
EU Politician Muddies Waters On “Stop Killing Games” With Rant On Wokeness
A European Union parliamentary debate on the "Stop Killing Games" movement, which advocates for publishers to keep games online after purchase, was sidetracked by Slovakian politician Milan Uhrik. Uhrik focused on "wokeness" and "aggressive monetization," citing Assassin's Creed Shadows as an example of forced political correctness. The discussion also touched upon Ubisoft's decision to shut down The Crew and the industry's perspective on games as a service.
EU politician says killing games is bad, but 'wokeness' and the Black samurai Yasuke are the real problem
During a European Parliament debate on 'Stop Killing Games,' Slovak MEP Milan Uhrik argued that 'wokeness' and aggressive monetization are destroying video games. He specifically criticized the inclusion of Black or female protagonists, citing Assassin's Creed Shadows as an example, and also touched upon issues like microtransactions and server shutdowns.
I've been playing games for 40 years, writing about them for 20, and I'm here to say parts of Roblox need to…
A veteran games journalist argues that Roblox Corporation employs exploitative monetization tactics and dark patterns that prey on children's developmental vulnerabilities. The article highlights how the platform's design encourages spending through complex currency systems and deceptive practices, leading to concerns about child safety and a call for government intervention.
Controversial racer Lego 2K Drive is getting delisted soon, with its servers set to be shutdown in 2027
Lego 2K Drive will be delisted from digital storefronts on May 19, 2026, and its online multiplayer servers will shut down on May 31, 2027. Publisher 2K and developer Visual Concepts have not provided a specific reason for the delisting, though expiring vehicle licenses and the game's monetization model are speculated as contributing factors. The game launched in 2023 and featured an open-world racing experience with extensive vehicle customization.
XSOLLA SHOWCASES INDUSTRY INSIGHTS AND REGIONAL COMMITMENT AT DIGITAL DRAGONS 2026
Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, announced its participation in Digital Dragons 2026, highlighting industry insights and its commitment to Eastern Europe. The company will discuss emerging themes such as live-service monetization, direct-to-consumer strategies, and the growing demand for localized payment solutions. Xsolla will also feature product updates and host speaking sessions on discoverability and the role of service providers in game development.
Building Your Own Online Gaming Community: Moderation, Monetisation, and Keeping Players Engaged | Invision
Building a successful online gaming community requires clear purpose, effective moderation, and engaging mechanics. Key elements include defining a specific audience, establishing clear rules, and implementing retention strategies like community challenges and member spotlights. Monetization can be achieved through relevant, non-intrusive advertising or subscription tiers, with long-term success depending on providing unique value and a sense of belonging.
XSOLLA ANNOUNCES XSOLLA ADS, A PLAYER-POWERED GROWTH PLATFORM, BRINGING IT TO MOBILE'S PREMIER GROWTH COMMUNITY AT MAU LAS VEGAS 2026
Xsolla has announced the expansion of Xsolla Ads into a unified player growth engine, combining rewarded advertising and first-party transaction data to convert non-paying players into revenue for developers. The platform will be showcased at MAU Las Vegas 2026, aiming to address challenges in mobile game monetization and user acquisition. Early partners have reported significant increases in revenue and paying users.
No AI, No Pay-to-Win: Indie RPG 'Orna' Celebrates 8 Years by Letting Players Beat Up the Developers for Loot!
Northern Forge Studios is celebrating the 8th anniversary of their mobile RPG, Orna: The GPS RPG, by turning their development team into in-game raid bosses for players to defeat and earn exclusive loot. The event, running from May 19th to May 26th, emphasizes the studio's commitment to avoiding pay-to-win mechanics and AI-generated content. Players can also expect new pet followers and global buffs during the Ornaversary event.
Solo-Only Players: Skip Every Battle Pass in 2026 | TAG
This article argues that solo players should skip all battle passes starting in 2026, as the monetization system relies on social validation and FOMO, which are largely irrelevant to solo experiences. The author contends that the time investment required for battle passes is not worth the temporary cosmetics, suggesting that the saved money and time could be better spent on full single-player game purchases.
The gacha in Neverness to Everness isn't as generous as it seems—here's how it works and why I've…
This analysis breaks down the gacha mechanics in Neverness to Everness, comparing its generosity to other games in the genre. While the game offers a kinder approach to acquiring characters and weapons, it becomes less fair when considering the cost of exclusive cosmetic items, requiring a significant number of pulls.
Flexion Launches Exprexion: A New Suite of Services to Increase Mobile Game Revenue and Market Freedom
Flexion has launched Exprexion, a new suite of services designed to help mobile game developers increase revenue and gain market freedom. The service offers a single point of entry to alternative app stores, influencer marketing, and direct-to-consumer sales, aiming to reduce reliance on major platforms like Google and Apple and their associated fees.
EverQuest II answers call for mercenary customization by selling players an illusion scroll
Daybreak Game Company has introduced a new mercenary illusion scroll for EverQuest II, allowing players to change their companion's appearance. This feature, available in the cash shop for approximately $12, has drawn criticism from players who desired more comprehensive cosmetic customization options rather than a single monster illusion.
PS5's NTE Makes Back One-Third of Its Budget in Just One Day
The free-to-play gacha game NTE has reportedly recouped one-third of its estimated $44 million development budget within its first day of release. Publisher Perfect World stated that the game generated $14.6 million across all platforms, with 75% of its global revenue coming from PlayStation 5 and PC. The company also noted that players are engaging more with the game's life simulation elements than its combat, and plans to reduce grind and explore direct purchases for virtual goods.
Mistplay Acquires MAF’s MyChips to Strengthen Its Global Rewarded Advertising Platform
Mistplay has acquired MyChips SRL, a subsidiary of MAF, to enhance its global rewarded advertising platform. This acquisition aims to accelerate Mistplay's network expansion and strengthen its position in the rewarded advertising market, which is crucial for mobile user acquisition. The integration of MyChips will expand Mistplay's LoyaltyPlay network, offering advertisers greater scale and flexibility.
Battlefield 6’s Season 3 Battle Pass is Now Available for Pre-Order
EA has launched pre-orders for the Season 3 Battle Pass for Battlefield 6, offering a standard version for $9.99 and a premium 'Battlefield Pro' package for $24.99. The early availability of battle pass pre-orders has sparked debate among players regarding monetization practices. Season 3 will also introduce the 'Railway to Golmud' map, a remake of Battlefield 4's Golmud Railway, which DICE developers have described as the largest map in Battlefield 6 to date.
EA now lets you pre-order battle passes in Battlefield 6 for exclusive rewards, because of course it does
Electronic Arts is now allowing players to pre-order battle passes for Battlefield 6, including an upgraded 'BF Pro' version, ahead of their official launch. Pre-ordering offers exclusive in-game rewards such as weapon packages and tier skips. This move comes as the game enters a phase of adding new content and features, despite a significant drop in player count since its launch.
Innovative Mobile Game Mechanics That Changed Gaming in 2026 - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
Mobile games in 2026 are increasingly defined by innovative design choices rather than just visuals, focusing on mechanics that influence player engagement and retention. Key trends include hybrid-casual gameplay, live-service features, AI-driven personalization, idle loops, social integration, and evolving monetization systems that prioritize transparency and player experience.