Vectors of monetization
Buying a knife skin in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and purchasing a lollipop hammer in Candy Crush are two entirely different experiences. The first is driven by desire, the other by frustration. Knife skins give players a way to express themselves and provide visual variety, but they have no effect on gameplay.
The value of the lollipop hammer, on the other hand, is almost entirely dependent on its gameplay impact, since it is a useful tool that helps you get past difficult situations. Your offering has to closely match your game and the desires of your players.
There are five distinct vectors used to drive in-game monetization models, as follows:
- Time
- Difficulty
- Playable content
- Non-playable content
- In-game advertisements
We’ll explore these vectors one by one and pay close attention to their effect on gameplay, progression, structure, and the player’s emotional state.
Time
This monetization vector...
