How Do Free Mobile Games Make Money? 10 Different Methods Plus Examples
The realm of free mobile games is vast and varied. These seemingly gratis gems dominate app stores and win over players for hours on end. But how can they afford to be offered without upfront payment?
Here’s the catch – these games aren’t technically ‘free’. They deploy stealthy strategies to generate impressive revenues. This isn’t black magic. Instead, it’s crafty entrepreneurship combined with savvy digital marketing.
In fact, some of these free apps out-earn their paid counterparts by quite a margin. It’s because, in this business model, cash flow is not dependent on purchases alone.
With that in mind, stay tuned as we discover various methods through which such games rake in the big bucks.
The Power of In-App Purchases: Candy Crush Saga
In-app purchases are among the most lucrative revenue strategies for free mobile games, and Candy Crush Saga exemplifies this method. Smaller brands looking to grow their reach right now can learn from this game in particular.
In Candy Crush, these purchases or ‘microtransactions’ help players progress faster, which is a hard lure to resist. They can:
- Unlock additional levels
- Buy boosters to speed up progress
- Purchase virtual currency like ‘gold bars’
It’s quite ingenious because it taps into human psychology, as we love quick wins and feeling rewarded. Additionally, these transactions often start as low-cost indulgences making them seemingly harmless for users but highly profitable in aggregate.
Candy Crush’s earnings testify its success with over $1 billion grossed annually from microtransactions alone. This model proves that offering value within an engaging, free platform can lead to big monetisation.
Subscriptions for Additional Benefits: PUBG Mobile
PUBG Mobile establishes another thriving revenue stream through subscriptions. This is tapped into via the Amazon Prime subscription service. It’s a preferred method in games with deeply engaged players.
The game offers benefits to players on two main subscription plans:
- Prime: Allowing users to collect in-game currency daily
- Prime Plus: Offering more rewards and discounts on items
This recurring billing model adds predictability to earnings, supported by Amazon’s extensive infrastructure. It’s attractive for businesses since it guarantees a steady income over time instead of sporadic purchases. Providing excellent customer support is also made easier since there’s an established framework for subscribers to use.
Additionally, subscribers usually form a dedicated player base, leading to higher customer retention rates, which is a huge advantage in the highly competitive mobile gaming market.
Thus, by providing meaningful value consistently via subscriptions, PUBG not only retains its user base but also enjoys steady revenue generation.
Free Mobile Games With Ads, Plus a Paid Ad-Free Version: Words with Friends
Advertising is an incredibly effective means of generating revenue for free mobile games. ‘Words with Friends’ is a classic example.
In its free version, players frequently encounter ads while playing. However, they can opt to purchase the ad-free premium version:
- Ad-free gameplay experience
- Additional perks like tracking stats and progress
This method accomplishes two goals simultaneously – monetizing users through both advertising and direct in-app purchases.
Ad-driven revenues are often overlooked due to their seemingly small per-user value. However, given enough scale, whether that’s thousands or millions of active daily users, these sums become significant.
So, by embracing this hybrid method, combining ad displays within free play and offering an upgraded paid alternative, Words With Friends cashes in on all fronts.
It has even developed an ecosystem of associated third-party apps and tools thanks to its popularity. For instance, players can use Words with Friends word finder to solve tricky sets of letters. This shows that success breeds success, and everyone benefits.
Unlocking Exclusive Content Through Microtransactions: Clash of Clans
Clash of Clans, a strategy game, makes use of an interesting monetization model. In this case, it prompts users to unlock exclusive content via microtransactions.
Exclusive content includes:
- Advanced weaponry
- Enhanced abilities
- Unique characters or troops
In the captivating world that games create, players crave this exclusivity and are often willing to pay for it. This urge is what prompts these seemingly small transactions which effortlessly convert into substantial revenues when counted collectively.
This approach not only generates extra income but also boosts player engagement levels as they strive to acquire advanced in-game features. It’s a perfect example of how striking the right balance between rewarding gameplay and strategic monetization can result in profitable success.
Engaging Users Via Time-Limited Events and Special Items Purchase: Fortnite Battle Royale
Another successful approach is leveraging time-limited events and exclusive items for purchase, a method effectively employed by Fortnite Battle Royale.
Each ‘season’ in the game:
- Offers new characters
- Presents unique rewards
- Introduces exciting timed missions
Players are drawn towards these exclusive elements offered only during specific seasons or special events. They willingly spend money on seasonal battle passes or rare weapons to up their chances of victory and show off within the community.
By keeping players eagerly awaiting each season’s novelties, this model ensures continual user engagement, translating into regular income flows. With millions of dedicated fans, it’s no wonder that Fortnite remains one of the top-grossing games.
Real Money Trading (RMT) in Virtual Economies: An Example From RuneScape
An emerging strategy is the implementation of real money trading (RMT) within virtual economies, as seen with Runescape.
In this medieval-themed game:
- Players can farm gold in-game
- Gold and items are sold to other players for real-world currency
This gives rise to an independent economy where valuable items command high prices. The developer supports RMT by selling game currency themselves or facilitating safe transactions between players.
While contentious due to potential exploitation concerns, if adeptly managed, this model marks a challenging yet captivating avenue for revenue generation.
Partnerships and Collaborations for Game Monetization: Pokémon GO with McDonald’s Japan
Another innovative approach is establishing partnerships or collaborations that enhance user experience while also driving revenues. Pokémon GO’s collaboration with McDonald’s Japan showcases this wonderfully.
Through the partnership:
- Participating stores were transformed into ‘PokéStops’ or ‘Gyms’
- Players could collect items or face battles in these premises
- This drove increased foot traffic to participating outlets
This was a win-win situation as both parties profited from heightened engagement. Niantic benefited due to increased player activity and players had new exciting areas to explore. Meanwhile, McDonald’s enjoyed enhanced customer visits.
Hence, by building strategic alliances, free mobile games can continue offering dynamic experiences whilst creating avenues for generating auxiliary income.
VIP or Premium Packages: Roblox Premium Approach
Another in-vogue revenue strategy employs VIP or premium packages like the method used by Roblox, a pioneer in user-generated content.
Roblox offers its players:
- A premium package offering monthly stipend of virtual currency
- Additional benefits such as early access to new items and features
Premium memberships not only generate recurring revenues but also boost player loyalty. This is pivotal considering the competitive landscape of mobile gaming markets where customer retention poses a significant challenge.
With their model, Roblox has shown us how offering exclusive perks can entice free users to spend money. Therefore even within ‘free’ mobile games, there exists an elite – one that’s very profitable for game developers.
Leveraging Surveys and Market Research – Google Opinion Rewards Model
A noteworthy, yet less traditional method is leveraging surveys and market studies in games based on the Google Opinion Rewards model.
The app:
- Delivers users short surveys
- Offers them credit for completing these questionnaires
- This currency can be spent within partnered games or applications on the Google Play Store
Game developers profit by charging a fee from market research firms to pose their queries to a uniquely engaged audience. In turn, this information becomes invaluable insights.
Furthermore, they also gain from increased user interaction as gamers return to earn more rewards that enhance their gaming experience. Such an approach ensures the dual benefits of valuable data accumulation for businesses while ensuring regular player engagement.
Sponsorship Integration: Niantic’s Formula in Ingress Prime
Ingress Prime by Niantic utilizes an impressive model of monetization involving corporate sponsorships.
This AR game:
- Includes many sponsored locations or ‘portals’
- These anchor points are often located around prominent local businesses
- Players flock to these sponsored spots as part of their gaming objective
Through this approach, the game essentially drives foot traffic to brick-and-mortar businesses. Reports suggest that such strategies can lead to a 15% increase in visits and boost sales too.
It further encourages local brands and multinational companies to sponsor games and generate real-world outcomes from virtual interactions.
Conclusion: Balancing Profitability with User Experience in Free Mobile Games
The world of free mobile games is a treasure trove of inventive monetization strategies. From microtransactions to subscriptions, ad displays to sponsorships, these methods are lucrative yet varied.
Devising an effective revenue strategy pivots on understanding your user base and what they value within the gaming experience. You can then breed loyalty by offering compelling content while subtly nudging players towards incentivized options.
Ultimately, success hinges on striking that perfect balance, fostering captivating user experiences without weakening profitability. It’s a challenging game but certainly not impossible.
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