How to Make Money from Any Free-to-Play Game?
Free-to-play, or F2P, games are important in the gaming community since there are gamers who are not looking to spend any money. But how do the developers and publishers then pay themselves? With a good monetization strategy, you can turn downloads into dollars. While it is a free-to-play game, there are multiple ways to generate revenue from it, often without ever forcing the player to pay. Next, the YaninaGames team along with partners presents 5 different ways to make money that anyone can use – whether you’re a solo developer or part of a larger studio. These recommendations are partially based on the personal experience. So, buckle up and prepare to learn the basics of monetization of a free-to-play game.
In-Game Purchases
Many popular free-to-play games largely rely on in-game purchases or microtransactions. A classic illustration of such a game is Fortnite, which covers a multitude of cosmetic upgrades including character and glider skins. However, some games are also equipped with items that can save players’ time, like XP boosters and energy packs.
Through in-game purchases, players can have the freedom to make the call when they will purchase. This tactic is powerful in that it does not stop or ruin the game for those players who want to make no purchases. It allows those players who want to get more value to go for it.
Another great and unique example is the concept of sweepstakes casinos. They are platforms that allow players to play and enjoy casino games for free. Reportedly, sweepstakes casinos operate under the “sweepstakes model” by offering casino games with two different currencies:
- fun-play coins, which are the free ones;
- sweepstakes coins, which cost money.
Thanks to this model, players can decide whether they want to play for free or with real money. On top of this, sometimes they can win prizes even if they are not playing with real money.
There are also gacha mechanics with random prizes – we’ve posted a huge guide about this way of making money on a free-to-play game.
In-App Advertising
Ads have been in the game for a long time, and they still remain one of the most reliable and consistent ways to monetize a free game. The most common ad formats include rewarded video, interstitial, banner, playable, full-game, and integrated ads that blend into gameplay. While ads can interrupt the gameplay, they can also be placed without harming the experience. For example, showing a short video between game levels or offering a reward for watching an ad feels less interruptive.
Rewarded ads, in particular, are a win-win situation. After watching the ad, the player gets rewards like coins, and the developer earns ad revenue. To keep the experience smooth and enjoyable, you should not overdo it. Players usually tolerate and sometimes even appreciate well-placed ads, but if your game becomes a wall-to-wall commercial, they will most likely uninstall it.
Offer a Premium Subscription
A subscription model is considered one of the popular trends at the moment. It is a means of generating constant income via recurring revenue sources, as well as forming a base of loyal users. To carry out this, you have to go for one of the options, which includes distributing VIP memberships and selling premium passes to customers of your game. In such a way, players get the exclusive features that are only available like ad-free gaming or quick game leveling. According to the work of this strategy, players are to pay a regular fee charge which in turn can raise engagement and, at the same time, create profits.
To get the most out of this tactic, the initiative could begin by promoting the players a free trial period or giving a first month at an extremely low price. This way the customers will be more influenced to test the product currently, and once its value is recognized, they will most likely continue using it and even pay for it.
Sell Branded Merchandise
If your game has its own community or a fanbase, branded merchandise might be a good idea. Expanding beyond the screen is great since it generates revenue while also turning players into walking ads, which means organic promotion and increased visibility. To get started, you will need to design your merchandise and set up a web store. Nowadays it is quite easy thanks to platforms like Shopify, which, according to statistics, has over 2.5 million active stores.
This plan is meant to work out well when the timing and the quality of the character have been embodied. Therefore, at first, the crucial step is to create remarkable characters or build a starting game brand. Later, one has to devise products that are of high quality and are of fans’ interest actually. This is possible without any funding with the help of print-on-demand services that cut the upfront costs and streamline the delivery of goods.
Crowdfund Your Launch (or Next Update)
While crowdfunding is mainly for game launches, it can also be done when developing new expansions, updates, or anything else. There are great platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, which are full of people who want to help fund upcoming start-ups and projects. On top of raising money, the campaigns also build up hype.
The support can even be encouraged by offering exclusive rewards, early access, or limited-edition items. What’s even more exciting is that crowdfunding doesn’t cost anything, which is why it’s an effective way to draw attention and secure funding with minimal risk.
Conclusion
Making money from your free-to-play game doesn’t mean sacrificing fun or ruining the gameplay for players. When monetization is done right, it’s all about giving users choices. Several different strategies will feel like a natural extension of the gameplay, not a distraction or an interruption. Well, how should I proceed now? The best strategy is to combine two or more of these five methods. By doing this, you can create a balanced system that benefits both the players and your game.
The YaninaGames team and partners continue to deliver interesting content for aspiring devs. If you like what we post, please consider following and bookmarking our blog. Also, we’d like to support new projects and invite all fellow developers – both novice and experienced experts in game development. Let’s create awesome content and games!
