For a long time now, the default monetisation for mobile games has been ads and in-app purchases. Many small-scale game developers still adhere to this method.
But as the scale progresses, the methods also need to be updated. Players have been expressing their frustration with the aggressive ads and “pay-to-win” mechanics for some time now. Game monetisation strategies must change. They need to bring in revenue without upsetting players.
What you will find in this guide are tested-and-proven alternatives to ads and IAPs, strategies that keep your community engaged, loyal, and spending for the right reasons.
The Current Monetisation Landscape
Most mobile games use ads and in-app purchases (IAPs). They are easy to add and bring in quick money. Ads earn money from all players, even those who don’t spend. IAPs reward your biggest spenders.
They also have some downsides. Ads are intrusive, and unbalanced IAPs will lose the grinders. Privacy rules like GDPR and Apple’s ATT have made ad targeting stricter. This change has impacted returns.
That is why high-end mobile game development studios are diversifying their revenue streams. You can’t rely on just one or two income sources anymore. Your game’s financial health needs multiple revenue streams.
Why Follow the Path Beyond Ads and IAPs?
Dependence on these two is risky. Too many ads lead to ad burn, and that will get the player away from the game. Buying too many items can make them unwanted, leading to IAP burnout.
If you’ve ever sat and watched money fall off after a policy shift on a platform, you know how lean single-stream revenue is. Diversifying into other monetisation streams diversifies the risk and steadies cash flow.
It lets you align monetisation with what players want. This could be competition, creativity, collection, or self-expression. That’s how you convert a one-time player into a real supporter.
Innovative Monetisation Models Beyond Ads and IAPs
There are many other ways to monetise your game, rather than just showing ads or IAPs. Various other things are possible and are also implemented by major game studios. Some of them are listed below.
Subscription Models and Season Passes
Subscriptions and play passes keep the players engaged as they provide value over time. Story progression, seasonal events, and exclusive cosmetics keep things fresh. These ensure that the game doesn’t feel repetitive or completed.
The secret is a consistent supply of content that is delivered on schedule. Frequent releases generate anticipation and assure commitment. It also leads players to think they are getting a premium, ongoing experience rather than just a one-time buy.
Merchandising & Physical Products
If worlds or characters connect, fans will love physical merchandise. They will want posters, statues, and T-shirts. Merchandise engages in emotional connection and creates a high-margin source of revenue. And it is completely separate from app stores and such.
You need great designs. You also need dependable suppliers. Finally, an easy-to-use online store is key to success. The quality of these physical products reflects directly on your brand. If it feels cheap or rushed, it will undermine the goodwill you’ve built in-game.
Crowdfunding and Patronage Models
Platforms like Kickstarter and Patreon can fund mobile game development. They also help build a devoted fan base before the game launches. They are marketing solutions that produce word-of-mouth and establish early adopters. These early adopters also act as the initial testers for the game. These create buzz before your game is fully launched in the market.
Your campaign’s success depends on great graphics, clear reward tiers, and a strong story. Tell backers why your game is worth their support. Funders should feel included in the journey. For this, background updates, alpha phases, and direct communication with devs are necessary.
Esports and Competitive Ecosystems
Competitive play offers a chance to succeed in esports. You can profit from entry fees, sponsorships, branded gear, and pay-per-view tickets. This success model is based on competition that values skills, community support, and the thrill of rivalry.
Great tournaments have strong broadcasts, exciting arenas, and live commentary. These elements boost the experience for both players and fans. Higher production quality leads to more sponsors and better media coverage. This, in turn, boosts profitability.
Licensing & IP Partnerships
Licensing enables you to spin your game world off into other media. This can be comic books, TV shows, films, or licensed business deals with other entities. This route expands coverage of your brand and introduces new players to your game. It also creates an entirely new source of revenue without you needing to produce the content.
You need a strong identity, consistent branding, and clear creative direction. The partner brand must also see the value in it. It should appear as a well-planned idea with profitability rather than a fad.
NFTs, Blockchain, & Play-To-Earn (P2E)
Blockchain can open up unique digital collectables. It also helps prove who owns assets in games. It can even develop play-to-earn models where real-world value is created by gameplay. The model is still developing and may spark debate, so it should be handled with care.
Think about regulatory compliance, ethics, and sustainability for the long term. Prioritise creating genuine player value (i.e., assets that can be used in-game or between titles).
Hybrid Monetisation Strategies
Successful games implement several game monetisation strategies. Some examples are seasonal passes and community events. Diversification lowers the risk of depending on one revenue source. It also covers various reasons why players get involved.
Consistency is the key. Any monetisation element has to be a natural extension of your game’s universe and atmosphere. Seamless integration boosts engagement and revenue.
Best Practices for Implementing New Monetisation Models
You can not just implement any monetisation model in your game. To successfully implement a new monetisation model, you would first need to understand certain things.
- Begin with your players: Determine what your players want. It could be competition, collecting, creativity, or narrative. Then select the models that harmonise with it. Align monetisation with the players’ drives. It creates a sense of value. This boosts retention and encourages spending.
- Keep it seamless: Incorporate monetisation into the flow of the game without disrupting it. A timely offer or upgrade during gameplay feels natural, not like a sales pitch.
- Test first, then scale: Run a small pass or limited merch drop before you expand. Controlled tests enable you to hone pricing, timing, and offer structure without risk.
- Invest in mobile game design: Store UX, iconography, and promotional imagery have a solid impact. A clean shop helps players feel relaxed while spending. It also boosts the perceived quality.
- Iterate often: Use analytics and player feedback. This helps you improve rewards, prices, and presentation. Regular improvements boost revenue and show you care about your community. This builds trust even more.
The Future of Mobile Game Monetisation
The future of mobile game monetisation is changing. Now, systems are built right into gameplay. You’ll find community-driven economies and AI offers that adjust in real time. The use of Metaverse-tied assets that are valuable across platforms is also possible. The result is making spending seem like part of the game instead of an added-on process.
Gamers will keep desiring new experiences specific to their play style. This calls for rapid development, clear data insights, and strong content pipelines. The capacity to update fast will distinguish leaders from followers.
Train with industry-oriented institutes to establish teams that can produce quality assets and innovations rapidly. This allows you to remain ahead of others when it comes to developing games and meet the needs of future players.
Go Beyond Ads & IAPs With Moople Academy
Love mobile games but find yourself curious about how they really generate revenue? At Moople Academy, we dive beyond the fundamentals of advertisements and in-app purchases. Our mobile game design and development courses teach you modern monetisation models that define the gaming future, including subscription passes, merchandising, esports ecosystems, and even blockchain-based play-to-earn schemes.
We don’t simply instruct you in coding or design; we train you to think like a creator and businessperson. You’ll discover how to develop compelling game economies, craft content that players adore, and embed revenue streams that come naturally.
Here’s how Moople equips you:
- Industry Insights: Discover actual case studies of how leading studios monetise sustainably.
- Hands-On Learning: Collaborate on live projects that synthesise gameplay with monetisation approaches.
- Career Readiness: Create a portfolio that demonstrates not only your technical abilities, but your capacity to design for enjoyment as well as financial prosperity.
Do you want to develop games that people adore and that are commercially successful? Moople Academy is your gateway to becoming a master of game monetisation.
FAQs
Why do I need to go beyond ads and IAPs?
Relying on them can cause unstable revenue. It may lead to player burnout and a heavy dependence on changing market trends. Diversifying your income opens up new ways to monetise mobile games. It offers financial stability and builds player loyalty.
What’s the simplest alternative to begin with?
Season and subscription models fit well into most games. They offer guaranteed content and rewards. They also create steady revenue. This helps you plan updates and marketing with assurance.
Can indie studios adopt these game monetisation strategies?
Yes. Crowdfunders, merchandise sales, and hybrid strategies can suit smaller budgets and niche audiences. With dedicated audiences, creating revenue and a strong brand identity are possible.
How can Moople Academy assist?
Moople gives creators the skills they need to make assets ready for monetisation. Their training, shaped by the industry, helps teams create visuals, animations, and designs. This change turns players into paying supporters.