Monetization Secrets from the Top 1,000 Games
This is a single insight from This Week in Apps - Games Are Not the Same. Check out the full article for more insights.
Monetization has always been a hot topic in mobile. But the top games in 2024 are writing a new(ish) playbook and it's surprisingly consistent.
We analyzed the 1,000 highest-earning mobile games of the year to understand what monetization strategies they're using. What we found wasn't a scatterplot. It was a blueprint!
Every single one of the top games used two tactics:
- Consumables or currency via IAP
- Limited-time offers or events
Those two monetization mechanics are table stakes now. If your game doesn't have them, you're not even in the conversation.
Beyond that, most top games layered in other revenue engines.
- Premium currency appeared in 90% of games.
- Bundles and packages showed up in 80%.
- Unlocks or cosmetics via IAP were in 70%.
- Even battle passes made it into half of the top games.
The takeaway is simple: top games don't rely on one strategy but rather a mix.
The best monetization systems are multifaceted. They meet the player at different stages of engagement and spending intent. A player might start with a $0.99 consumable, then move into a bundle, and eventually opt into a $10 season pass. The monetization adapts as the player commits.
But here's the real insight: it's not just about having these features but rather presenting them well. Limited-time offers aren't effective on their own. They work because they're well-timed, well-priced, and paired with compelling visuals and progression hooks. And limited.
If you're building or optimizing a game, don't just copy what's in the top 10. Understand the strategy behind it. That's where the real leverage is.
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All figures included in this report are estimated. Unless specified otherwise, estimated revenue is always net, meaning it's the amount the developer earned after Apple and Google took their fee.
