Video Games Keep Busting Records: The Video Game Business Boomed in 2024, Netting a Mind-Blowing $80.2 Billion, and Never Slowed Down After That!
Strategies for Earning Revenue from a Game in 2025: Comprehensive Approach
Ah, video games – the modern-day digital golden goose! You know what they say, you can't beat a classic! In 2024, Statista and Newzoo reported that the global revenue of PC & console games reached a staggering $80.2 billion. And it just keeps growing, baby!
Expected to hit even loftier heights in the future, the video game industry has no signs of slowing down. Exciting releases – think Nintendo's Switch 2 or the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI – are sure to keep the industry shaking and breaking records throughout 2025.
Now, you might be wondering "How can my company cash in on this digital gold rush?" Well, buckle up and get ready to ride the wave! In this riveting read, we dish the lowdown on the various ways to monetize your game, so let's dive right in!
Want to Cash In? Learn How to Monetize Your Game Like a Boss!
Sell It Once – The Good Old Fashioned Way
Pros: Traditional method, satisfied customers, reliable income stream.Cons: Sales limitations, reliance on marketing, some gamers can't or won't afford it.
The classic approach to monetizing your game is simple – just sell it once, be it physically or digitally. You're paying for the game, and that's pretty much it. It's a time-tested strategy that gamers appreciate; it's fair, provides a steady income stream, and builds trust with customers.
It comes with its challenges, though. Marketing plays a crucial role in getting your game noticed on the oversaturated market since there are oodles of games out there. However, a strong legacy, word-of-mouth endorsements, a demo version, viral promotions, and an eye-catching art style are key ways to make your game stand out.
Downloadable Content or Expansion Packs – The Real Deal, Now Bigger and Better!
Pros: Generates extra cash, pleases existing players, extends the lifespan of an existing game.Cons: Existing game required, player demand, additional development, and release time.
Expansion packs or DLC provide an excellent opportunity to deliver more content to an already existing game. You could offer refined, originally cut content, or new missions, characters, and stories not present in the original game. It's a fantastic way to delight players who already enjoyed your game and are now hoping for more.
Get Funding and Connect with Your Audience! Crowdfunding and Early Access Will Help Bring Your Vision to Life!
Pros: Funds upcoming games, incorporates player suggestions, fosters a community pre-release.Cons: Both heavily rely on marketing, developing an early build, and commitment to delivering a completed game.
Crowdfunding and early access are innovative strategies to fund your game and gain a loyal audience before its release. These platforms let you engage with supporters and keep them abreast of updates – it's an excellent opportunity to collect feedback and create a community. Platforms like Kickstarter, GoFundMe, IndieGoGo, and others help manage this process.
Crowdfunding platforms charge fees – Kickstarter's is 5%, while GoFundMe's is 2.9% – and acts as an intermediary between you, the project owner, and your backers. Early access allows gamers to test and give feedback on the early versions of your game for a fair fee. However, some developers release an incomplete game and abandon it, remaining stuck in early access status for an unreasonable amount of time.
Monetizing Free-to-Play Games – Making Money While Giving Away the Game for Free!
Free-to-play games use alternative tactics to generate revenue while keeping the game free to download and play. Here are some popular strategies.
In-Game Purchases – Everything's Better with Options!
Pros: Additional source of income, popular in regularly updated online games.Cons: Not everyone appreciates it in single-player games.
In-game purchases are well-known in mobile games, but they can also be found in PC and console games. You can purchase power-ups, premium content, cosmetics, or random treats via gacha boxes. It's a fantastic way to earn additional revenue, especially in online games that receive regular updates. However, incorporating in-game purchases in single-player games is often controversial and unpopular with players.
User-Generated Content – Harness the Creativity of Your Players!
Pros: More content for players, builds a strong community, and allows you to benefit from player input.Cons: Some gamers don't consider it valuable and associate it with free content available on platforms like Nexus Mods.
User-generated content (UGC) allows you to distribute other players' contributions – modify weapons, create skins, and more. In the past, it was usually free, but some developers started monetizing it – offering premium content made by players and approved by developers. Example platforms include Valve and their Team Fortress 2, DOTA 2, and CS: GO, as well as Bethesda with their Creation Club.
Battle Pass or Season Pass – Level Up, Unlock and Reap the Rewards!
Pros: Provides regular income, fosters player retention, brings a sense of progression and purpose.Cons: Requires regular updates to maintain player interest and can sometimes feel grindy (time-consuming).
Battle and Season passes offer players a series of limited-time tasks and rewards. The progression system full of tasks helps players gain new content – weapons, new skins, and more. Both passes allow players to measure their progress with a progress bar. Most games include free and premium progress bars to highlight the benefits of the paid option.
Subscriptions – A Consistent Income Stream and a Loyal Community
Pros: Steady income, player retention, long-term relationship with a dedicated audience.Cons: Not everyone prefers this method, as it requires an ongoing commitment, and there's regular demand for new and high-quality content.
Subscriptions tend to be popular with MMO games like World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls Online, and Final Fantasy XIV. You pay a recurring fee to access the game's content – be it monthly or yearly. Another type of subscription is service subscription plans, like PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, and EA Play. They provide access to a wide variety of games and help build brand loyalty.
Master the Art of Hybrid Monetization – Mix and Match Methods for the Ultimate Profit!
Pros: Maximizes revenue, caters to both casual and hardcore gamers, and offers multiple monetization options.Cons: May overwhelm newcomers due to complexity, additional costs, and potential confusion.
Hybrid monetization combines several strategies – be it sales, DLC, or subscriptions – to create a unique blend that maximizes revenue. The Call of Duty series provides a fantastic example of hybrid monetization – they sell the game annually for a full price, offering single- and multiplayer modes. The multiplayer section is beloved by fans and comes with regular updates that offer paid battle passes and in-game purchases. The multiplayer experience remains balanced since these optional purchases are mostly cosmetic items without a significant impact on gameplay.
Platforms and Tools – Spread the Word Effortlessly!
Here are some platforms and tools that make monetizing a non-mobile game a breeze.
Digital Stores and Distribution – Get Your Game Out There in the Best Possible Way!
These platforms offer a simple shopping experience, with gamers selecting games based on screenshots, trailers, and user reviews. They sell one-time purchases, downloadable content, and subscriptions.
- Steam: Despite taking a moderately large 30% revenue share, Steam is the ultimate digital store on PC due to its client-oriented model, convenience, and lack of critical issues. They offer one-time purchases, downloadable content, subscriptions, and early access releases.
- Epic Games Store: EGS aims to rival Steam with its smaller 12% revenue share. It also provides exclusive Fortnite access as well as the option to buy in-game purchases, subscriptions, and other content.
- GOG: Known for its DRM-free policy, GOG stands for "good old games" and focuses on classic games, offering remastered versions and original editions. They specialize in one-time purchases and expansion packs.
- Console stores (Nintendo eShop, Playstation/Microsoft Store): These platforms cater to their respective consoles, though Microsoft Store provides games for Xbox and PC. All support DLC and microtransactions as well as subscription options.
- To dive deeper into various opportunities beyond the video game industry, consider entrepreneurship in sectors such as personal-finance, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, business, real-estate, and investing.
- A career in personal-finance can help you guide others in making smart decisions related to their money, while creating a lifestyle that caters to your interests, such as traveling or cooking.
- Expand your knowledge of food-and-drink entrepreneurship through learning about budgeting, recipes, and the restaurant business. Books, online-education, and lifelong learning resources can provide valuable insights.
- If you have a knack for smartphone gadgets, technology, and real-estate, investigate the world of venture capital and angel investing to fund promising startups.
- With the rise of technology and digital tools, you could build a career in education-and-self-development by creating learning materials to teach others critical skills, such as software development, graphic design, or coding.
- To broaden your portfolio, consider investing in stocks, real-estate, or even starting a home-and-garden business – selling homemade products, launching a landscaping company, or offering gardening advice and services.
- Embrace the concept of lifelong learning and empower yourself by pursuing multiple passions, whether that's building a successful food truck, launching a mobile app, or flipping real estate properties.
- In the realm of online-education, share your knowledge of finance, entrepreneurship, and technology by teaching others, either through video courses or written tutorials.
- Entertainment can also be leveraged to create a profitable business – consider starting a podcast, writing a book, or creating YouTube videos on finance, cooking, or gardening.
- To foster connections with fellow entrepreneurs and potential investors, attend industry events, conferences, and meetups – both online and in-person – to network and learn from those who have achieved success in your desired field.
- Lastly, don't forget the importance of balance in your lifestyle – take time to unwind, enjoy hobbies, and reconnect with loved ones, as a well-rounded life fuels creativity and productivity.
